Botox Treatment

When most people think about Botox they immediately think of plastic surgeons performing cosmetic treatments. While Botox is well known for its cosmetic uses such as diminishing fine lines around the face and smoothing out wrinkles, Botox is also used in dentistry to help reduce facial pain as well preventing migraines and headaches. Patients with bruxism (where you grind or clench your teeth) and TMD/ TMJ can benefit from Botox treatment to help reduce these painful symptoms.

Botox is a botulinum toxin injection administered at specific spots to block nerve transmission, the communication between your nerves and your muscles. This prevents your facial muscles from excessively contracting and allows them to relax completely.

What are the advantages of Botox for TMD/TMJ?

• Decreased pain
• Decreased clenching force, duration and number of recurrences
• Decreased teeth sensitivity and fractures
• Decreased frequency and intensity of headache and migraines
• Can limit the pull of muscles allowing better results during periodontal grafting procedures
• Improve ‘gummy smile’
• Improve implant success with less force on newly placed implants

Understanding BOTOX® and TMD/ TMJ Headaches and Migraines

Botox became FDA-approved for treating patients with chronic migraines in 2010. During a headache or migraine, the brain has a chemical reaction to a trigger. The trigger can be internal or external, such as too much sun, an intense smell, or dehydration. This chemical reaction results in a change in blood flow within the brain which affects the surrounding nerves and causes you to feel pain.

For patients suffering from a TMD / TMJ disorder, the misalignment of the jaw may slow the blood flow and fluid movement between your body and head. This provides the trigger for the chemical reaction that causes the pain. Botox is injected around the fibers where the headache or migraine originates, seeps into the nerve endings, and blocks the release of neurotransmitters that would otherwise send pain signals.

Dr. Morales advocates for the use of Botox to stop the nerve transmission that causes migraines and headaches to occur. She offers Botoxtherapy to put an end to your painful symptoms and provide lasting relief from chronic migraines and headaches.

Does Botox help jaw clenching?

As jaw clenching is a common cause of TMD / TMJpain, it follows that Botox injections can be used to treat jaw pain from clenching. Botox can target the facial muscles responsible for jaw clenching, such as the larger masseter muscle along the jaw, thus reducing the overactivity of the muscles over time. When Botox is injected into the masseter muscle, the muscle relaxes, and the neurotoxin in Botox also prevents the muscle from involuntarily contracting, decreasing clenching force and the number of recurrences.

How much does it cost?

Botox treatment costs range from person to person as they are based on the severity of each case.Our general fees are $10 / per unit. For new patients there would be an initial assessment exam of $157. The initial exam is billed as a specific exam under the ODA (Ontario Dental Associate fee guide). During this appointment, we will assess and discuss treatment options. It is recommended that patients try other treatment methods for bruxism and TMJ prior to Botox ( such as night guards and other custom mouth piece appliances). There are some other medical conditions such as those who are pregnant, nursing, or have neuromuscular conditions such as Myasthenia Gravis or Eaton Lambert Syndrome who should not receive Botox treatment.

Will this be covered under my insurance?

We work will all major insurance providers. The best way to understand your coverage is to allow us to send an estimate to your insurance company. Speak with our friendly, knowledgeable staff at Rosedale Dental in Thornhill to learn about options you may have access to.

How often it is this needed?

The frequency can range from one person to the next. Botox treatment is not permanent, so you will need to have this procedure done everything 3-6 months. However, the duration of effects can vary depending on the individual and the amount of Botox used.

If you are looking for a dentist in Thornhill for Botox treatment, please call us at (905) 886-9900 and book an appointment.