How Does Xeomin® Help TMJ Disorder?

Xeomin® And TMJ

What Causes A TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is responsible for connecting your jaw to your skull. The joint acts like a sliding hinge so you can open and close your mouth with ease. Since the TMJ is such a significant part of your jaw, injury to it can have a major impact on your overall health. 

When the joint is injured, it is called a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). But what causes a TMJ disorder? We have two TMJ joints on either side of our jaws that must be symmetrical so one of them is not overworking or being strained. Having a misaligned jaw or teeth can cause strain on your jaw eventually leading to the development of TMD. That is why it is important for kids to get braces so they avoid uncomfortable and painful jaw and oral health concerns such as TMD in the future.  Connective tissue diseases can also cause TMD since the disease affects the structural integrity of the connective tissue in the body which includes the TMJ.  

Arthritis disorders, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can also lead to TMJ disorder. If you have broken your jaw in the past or have injured your jaw from an external force, you may be more at  risk of having a TMJ disorder. If you have suffered from a broken jaw, visiting your dentist regularly to ensure your jaw is healing correctly and is symmetrical is important to avoid future TMJ concerns. Lastly, habits of bruxism (grinding of teeth), clenching, or exhaustive chewing can cause strain on the TMJ. 

TMD Symptoms
If you regularly experience pain on one or both sides of your jaw or aching pain in your face or ears, this could be a sign of an issue with your jaw. Other common symptoms of TMD include:

• Migraines
• Difficulty chewing
• Pain while chewing
• Locking jaw
• Popping or clicking sound when you open or close your jaw
• Grinding noise when you open and close your jaw

If you suspect that you may have TMD, consult your dentist as they will be able to provide you with a treatment plan that prevents the disorder from causing pain and further damaging your TMJ. 

How Xeomin® Therapy Helps 
A popular treatment for TMD is Xeomin® injections. The injection relaxes the muscles to reduce tension in the jaw resulting in less strain on your TMJ, alleviating jaw pain. The benefit of using Xeomin® instead of BOTOX® to treat TMJ is that Xeomin® does not have additives. Xeomin® does not diffuse away from the intended muscle into which it was injected. 

Some patients can also develop a resistance to BOTOX® injections making the treatment less effective. Since there are no additives in Xeomin®, there are significantly fewer cases of patients rejecting the treatment which is important when treating TMD since it needs to be treated consistently. If you are suffering from TMD you will likely require Xeomin® injections once every 3-5 months depending on the severity of your condition as well as how long your body holds onto the effects of the treatment. 

Xeomin® Therapy For TMJ Disorders In Calgary- Dr.Korol Dental

In some cases, symptoms of TMJ disorders may go away without treatment. However, if your symptoms persist, it is important that you visit your dentist to find out the cause of your TMJ disorder and to explore treatment options such as Xeomin® therapy to help effectively relieve pain and discomfort.  

If you are having jaw pain, discomfort, or suspect that you may have a TMJ disorder, book an appointment with Dr.Korol today by calling 1-403-245-9099, or by filling out our online contact form. Our dental office is a leading holistic and biocompatible dentistry practice in Calgary that can alleviate your jaw pain while taking into consideration your overall wellness. Book your appointment for advice from Calgary’s leading holistic dentist, Dr. Korol. 

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