Relief for jaw pain, clenching and grinding
Jaw pain, clicking, morning headaches and worn-down teeth are often signs of a TMJ (jaw joint) problem or night-time clenching and grinding. Because these issues start with your teeth, bite and jaw muscles, a dental office is the right place to begin.
How we approach TMJ care
- A thorough exam: we check your jaw joints, muscles, bite and tooth wear to find the cause.
- A custom night guard or splint: for most patients, this is the first and most effective step. It protects your teeth and lets your jaw muscles rest.
- Bite care: worn or uneven teeth can be restored so your bite comes together evenly.
- Muscle-relaxing injections, when appropriate: for pain driven by overactive jaw muscles, a small injection can relax them and ease clenching and tension headaches. This option is explained below.
Not sure what’s causing your pain? Book an exam or call (617) 566-0308. New patients get a free first consultation.
About muscle-relaxing injections for TMJ
You may have heard of neuromodulator therapy as a procedure for those looking for smooth, plump, younger-looking skin. But did you know that many people also use it to relieve tension from things like migraines and excessive teeth grinding?
Neuromodulator therapy is a recognized treatment that is effective in relieving frequent headaches, migraines, TMD/TMJ, and teeth grinding.
For many, neuromodulator therapy has given them the relief no other non-surgical procedure could. If you’re a frequent sufferer of head or jaw pain, neuromodulator therapy may be the answer.
What does the procedure entail?
Getting neuromodulator therapy for medical reasons is not uncommon. In short, it involves injecting a neuromodulator into the muscles that are causing you pain, and prevent them contracting. For instance, many people experience tension headaches and jaw pain from a habit of clenching or being tense. Neuromodulator therapy can help with these situations.
Each muscle-relaxing treatment session generally lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, and you’ll need to have “top up” sessions every 4-6 months.
Although you might feel some relief a day or two after your treatment, it typically takes up to 14 days to fully feel the effects of your treatment. There’s no downtime involved, and besides some redness and discomfort, you won’t feel any after effects.
Where do they inject the neuromodulator?
Your doctor will inject the neuromodulator into your temple, forehead, jaw muscles and/or any other areas depending on your requirements. In addition, your practitioner will know how many injections you need, and they will likely build this up over time.
What can it help with?
Neuromodulator therapy doesn’t just offer a preventative remedy for wrinkles: it can also help with chronic migraines, temporomandibular joint (TMD/TMJ) disorders, and teeth grinding. Let’s explore what it can do for these issues:
- Migraines can be debilitating, but neuromodulator therapy can help. The practitioner injects a neuromodulator into the C-fibers, which are the nerves that transmit pain from the head to the brain. This procedure reduces the number of chemicals that the nerve ending releases, interrupting the feedback pathway that keeps the migraine going.
- The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located on both sides of the head where the jawbone meets the skull, and we use it every day when we talk and eat. This joint may become overworked by excessive teeth grinding, resulting in extreme tension headaches. Neuromodulator therapy relieves jaw tension by relaxing the masseter muscle and stopping it from working to the point of discomfort.
I’m pregnant – can I have medical neuromodulator therapy?
You should avoid having medical neuromodulator therapy if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as there is not yet enough research about the effects of neuromodulators on a pregnant person to be certain it is safe. To be on the safe side, wait until you’ve given birth if you’re pregnant and considering having medical neuromodulator therapy.
What kind of results can I expect from medical neuromodulator therapy?
The biological effect of neuromodulator therapy can take several days or even a few weeks to show. If you have had neuromodulator therapy for migraines, you should expect full relief in just over one month. Some patients start to improve after the second set of injections given 12 weeks after the initial session.
Learn More
If you’re experiencing discomfort and believe neuromodulator therapy may be the answer to getting your life back, reach out to us for a consultation. We’ll discuss your symptoms and give you a personalized plan to help you live pain-free.
Contact Chestnut Hill Dental Associates at (617) 566-0308 or request an appointment online. New patients are welcome!