What is Xeomin Therapy And How Can It Treat TMJ?

Knowing what may be causing your jaw pain, the symptoms associated with an injured TMJ, and possible treatment options such as Xeomin therapy can help keep you from suffering from a painful temporomandibular joint. Treatments using BOTOX® for TMJ injuries have become popular in recent years. Xeomin is a newer product similar to BOTOX® and offers additional benefits which will be discussed in this article.

Common Symptoms Of An Injured TMJ

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

• Migraines
• Toothache
• Jaw locking
• Inflammation
• Difficulty chewing
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds coming from the jaw

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, book a dental exam with your dentist right away. They will be able to assess your condition,  find out the root cause of your pain, and develop a treatment plan to relieve your pain to prevent future problems from occurring. 

Causes Of TMJ Disorders

You have two temporomandibular joints, one on either side of your jaw. It is very important for these to be symmetrical so that one is not overworking or being strained. Common causes of a TMJ disorder include:

• Misaligned teeth
• Physical injury
• Genetics
• Arthritis
• Genetics
• Emotional stress
• Connective tissue disease
• Xeomin For TMJ

A treatment for TMJ that is becoming increasingly popular due to its outstanding success is through Xeomin injections. Xeomin is very similar to BOTOX®, except that it has no additives, only containing botulinum toxin type A which is responsible for blocking the nerve signals to the muscle in which it was injected. Without a signal, the muscle is unable to contract. Since BOTOX® contains additives, it can diffuse into other muscles which Xeomin will not do, making it more ideal for injections in the TMJ.

An injection of Xeomin into the muscle will relax it and reduce tension in the jaw. This will keep the strain on your TMJ lower, alleviating jaw pain. If you have a habit of grinding your teeth, having less tension in your jaw may even help resolve that problem for you as well. 

Xeomin Injection For TMJ Procedure

Xeomin treatment for TMJ is non-surgical and is performed by your dentist in their office. Each session is quick, only lasting 10-15 minutes, and involves 1-2 injections on each side of your jaw. The Xeomin is injected into your jaw muscles and the feeling is similar to a small prick. You will notice improvements within two weeks of treatment and it is recommended to receive recurring treatments every 3-4 months. 

Xeomin Therapy Calgary

For most people, grinding and clenching of your teeth does not lead to many symptoms and can be monitored and controlled by simply wearing a mouthguard at night. For others, it can cause extreme discomfort leading to migraines and other symptoms such as difficulty chewing and constant pain. To help relieve these symptoms, Xeomin therapy can be used to successfully control the grinding and clenching of your jaw and relieve your pain.

Dr. Korol Dental is a leading holistic and biocompatible dental practice in SW Calgary that offers Xeomin treatments, dental cleanings, emergency dentistry, and more. Dr. Korol has the experience and expertise to evaluate your TMJ and prepare an optimal course of treatment to relieve your pain. To learn more about Xeomin therapy and to know if you are a good candidate, contact our SW clinic by calling 403-245-9099, or by filling out our online contact form. 

FAQ

Q: How often should I visit the dentist for a dental cleaning?
A: The Canadian Association of Dentistry recommends patients visit their dentist once every six months.

Q: How often do I need Xeomin injections?
A: You will be required to receive injections once every 3-4 months.

Q: Do the Xeomin injections hurt?
A: No, they do not. It is a quick procedure that only feels like a tiny prick.