Habits as routine and spontaneous as chewing, yawning or even conversing are performed thanks to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the temporal bone to the jaw.
Due to the constant vertical and lateral movements of this joint and its anatomy, which is more complex than that of other joints in the body, it is more difficult to treat any ailment or disorder that may arise in this joint or in the muscles that control it.
What are the main symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder?
The main sign of the need for diagnosis is pain in the area, either at the muscular level or in the TMJ itself, although it can extend to the face, jaw, neck, head and even produce migraines.
There may also appear problems of jaw engagement or limited jaw opening, as well as noises when jaw movements occur. Another of the problems that can originate, and after the pain, is the wear that can occur in the teeth and gum recession due to bruxism (involuntary movement by which the teeth are clenched and / or grinding, producing wear on them) makes it even more important treatment through a professional.
Why is Botox an effective alternative to combat the problem?
Although it is true that there are various ways of treating these discomforts (analgesia, unloading splints, occlusal adjustment, surgery, botox, relaxation exercises through physiotherapy, etc.), health professionals always recommend the least aggressive treatments that do not produce permanent changes in the body. Lately, and for all the above mentioned reasons, more and more patients affected by these discomforts choose botox to solve their problem, beyond the botox procedures that we are mostly familiar with to reduce wrinkles on the face.
Botulinum toxin is a drug based on the bacteria that causes food poisoning. If used in recommended doses and by appropriate professionals, it relaxes the muscles where it is applied, affecting only these, and helping to reduce the habit that causes bruxism. As a result, the improvements are noticeable in terms of the movements of the joint, being able to speak, eat, yawn and, ultimately, to perform normally the rest of the usual movements of our daily life.
When the patient detects the symptoms explained above and decides to combat his ailment by means of botox, a first consultation with the professional is necessary. In this first meeting with the specialist, the clinical history is studied and evaluated and the treatment is performed in different doses and sessions, according to the particular condition of each patient, and the effects of improvement can be noticed from the day after its application.