While best known for its ability to erase wrinkles, Botox has a variety of other medical applications. At Anand Medical Spa, Dr. Chugh offers Botox injections as an alternative treatment for facial pain and headaches caused by TMJ (tempo-mandibular joint) disorder often caused by clenching your teeth or grinding your mouth during excessive periods of stress.
How Botox Works to Relieve Facial Pain
Recent studies suggest that a majority of TMJ disorder and other facial pain complaints are muscle related. Based on this evidence and the results of clinic trials, the FDA approved the use of Botox for facial pain and chronic migraines in 2011. When injected into a muscle, Botox decreases the intensity of muscle contractions. In cosmetic medicine, this effect is leveraged to calm overactive muscles that are responsible for the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles. In the same way Botox is able to quiet overactive muscles that are causing facial pain and thereby provide relief.
Botox helps relieve pain caused by TMJ by relaxing the jaw muscles. Traditional treatments for TMJ – oral medications and mouth guards – are only able to provide relief from pain when they are used or over a prolonged period of time. Botox, on the other hand, provides the patient with relief 24 hours a day. When traditional medications or treatment modalities for TMJ pain fail, Botox should be considered as an alternative treatment.
Treatment with Botox
Dr. Chugh administers the Botox injections from her comfortable Medical Spa. Before beginning treatment, she will identify which overactive muscles are responsible for your facial pain. She will then inject tiny amounts of Botox directly into those muscles. Most patients are able to tolerate the injection discomfort quite well, but we can administer topical anesthetics if needed.
After the treatment, you will be able to resume normal activities immediately. You should begin to notice some improvement within 3 days following treatment, with maximum effects being felt within 10 days. If you are still experiencing pain, Dr. Chugh may ask that you return to Anand Medical Spa for additional injections. The effects of the treatment typical last between 4 and 6 months. If you notice the pain returning, you should schedule an appointment for your next round of treatment.
Consultation at Anand Medical Spa
If you suffer from facial pain caused by TMJ, tooth grinding, or an unknown cause, Botox may be able to provide relief. When using Botox to treat pain, it is important that you work with a qualified medical doctor, rather than an aesthetician. Dr. Chugh is a board certified physician who is experienced in using Botox to treat facial pain. We encourage you to contact us today to discuss your concerns with our doctor so she can determine if Botox may offer you some relief.