BOTULINUM TOXIN (BOTOX) MAY EFFECTIVELY TREAT TMJ DISORDERS!
Ricky Rubin
Approximately 85% of TMJ and orofacial pain cases are MUSCLE-RELATED. Thus, non-surgical, minimally invasive TMJ and orofacial pain trigger-point muscle injections with botulinum toxin (Botox) may be highly effective for dentists to treat facial esthetics, TMJ/orofacial pain, and bruxism. Trigger-point injections often eliminate headaches caused by stress-induced clenching and grinding. While BOTOX treatment for these disorders is currently in the early stages, clinical evidence suggests that BOTOX is an extremely effective treatment. It is important that dentists expand their TMD treatment repertoire beyond occlusal splints (night guards) and NSAIDs, and consider alternative effective TMD treatment with trigger-point injections to treat orofacial pain.