TMJ Treatment Mt Pleasant

Relief for Your Aching Jaw

Dental team member smiling at a patient

If you have pain in your jaw, don’t just ignore it! You could be dealing with a TMJ disorder – a condition that’ll slowly harm your oral health. That being the case, the best move is to see us for excellent TMJ treatment in Mt. Pleasant. This service would soothe your facial aches, setting you and your smile on the right track. Find out more about it by reading below or by scheduling a visit.

Why Choose Smileworks General & Cosmetic Dentistry for TMJ Treatment?

  • Custom Occlusal Splints for Heightened Comfort
  • Caring & Knowledgeable Dental Experts
  • Beautiful, State-of-the-Art Dental Office

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Woman in dental chair wincing in pain and holding the side of her jaw

TMJ refers to your temporomandibular joints – the tiny hinges connecting your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders are problems with said hinges and the facial muscles that control them.

Most TMJ disorders cause a range of unpleasant symptoms:

  • Jaw pain
  • Facial pain
  • Stiffness in the jaw
  • Jaw popping or clicking
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Pain when chewing or biting

How We Treat TMJ Disorder

Two gloved hands holding a clear tray to be worn over the teeth

Depending on your disorder’s cause, we’ll provide you with an equilibration or an occlusal splint.

An equilibration (or occlusal adjustment) helps when the TMJ has an alignment issue. For this treatment, our dentists slightly reshape a few teeth so the top and bottom arches fit together better. Such changes would reduce the pressure on your TMJ.

If the disorder stems from bruxism or teeth grinding, we’ll give you an occlusal splint. This device reduces muscle tension in your face, lessening the pressure on your jaw joints.

(You’ll only wear the splint at night.)

BOTOX for TMJ Treatment

Woman receiving a Botox injection in her jaw joint

For patients in need of immediate relief from TMJ-related pain, we can strategically inject Botox into overactive and overworked jaw muscles, making them relax. This effect comes on quickly and will last for months on end, during which our team can apply a more long-term solution so that the problem doesn’t come back.

What is BOTOX?

Close up of BOTOX being injected into patient’s forehead

BOTOX is a diluted form of botulinum toxin – a bacteria known to paralyze the muscles when administered locally. Rest assured, despite its scary-sounding origins, BOTOX is perfectly safe and FDA approved for TMJ management. It has a strong historical record of alleviating muscle tension and as a result, jaw pain.

Are You a Good Candidate for BOTOX for TMJ Treatment?

Patient smiling in treatment chair as dentist brings out BOTOX

If you experience any of the following symptoms, BOTOX could very well be a good treatment option for you:

  • Lockjaw
  • Teeth grinding or clenching
  • Muscle tension in your facial muscles
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Jaw clicking or popping
  • Chronic jaw discomfort
  • Restricted mouth movement
  • Ringing ears

Believe it or not, all of these issues can sometimes result from a TMJ disorder. Since your facial muscles and nerves are closely connected, physical stress in one area can easily impact other regions. It’s also important to note that while BOTOX can offer immediate pain relief, you may need a more long-term solution to permanently solve the problem. Get started on TMJ treatment with our team, and we can help you determine whether you’ll be a good candidate for BOTOX injections.

How Can BOTOX Treat TMJ Disorder?

Patient relaxing as she receives BOTOX

The paralyzing effects of botulinum toxins can actually be used to your advantage! In its diluted form, this bacterium essentially relaxes your facial muscles and prevents them from becoming tense. Thanks to the resulting lack of physical stress, jaw pain and other TMJ disorder symptoms gradually dissipate. According to one study in particular, this method is so effective that BOTOX was found to improve the symptoms of 90% of patients.

In order to manage your discomfort, our team will have to reapply BOTOX injections every three months. This is why we often recommend combining BOTOX with other TMJ treatments. BOTOX can absolutely help you return to your normal everyday routine, but if we can fix the underlying problem altogether, then we can provide you with more long-term relief!

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