My wife said her dentist suggested she get Botox for her TMJ. Is that legit or is she just trying to find a way for me to pay for her to get Botox treatments?
Cliff
Dear Cliff,
Hopefully, your wife won’t see this post and think you don’t trust her. But, we’ll certainly answer your question. There are times when the muscles are causing TMJ problems. When that happens, Botox can be of assistance. It relaxes the muscles around the temporomandibular joint, easing the pain. It can even assist when a patient is suffering from lockjaw. It’s not a permanent solution but can bring some relief while the dentist works toward pinpointing the cause and developing a more permanent solution.
There are quite a few causes for TMJ disorder, so it can take some time to figure out what’s the actual trigger. For some patients, it’s a misaligned bite. A wise dentist will start with the least invasive treatments. It may be a simple mandibular device can gently move your jaw into proper alignment.
Don’t trust a dentist who wants to immediately jump to a full-mouth reconstruction.
What Type of Dentist Can Treat TMJ?
There isn’t a recognized specialty in TMJ. Because of that, you want a dentist who has applied themselves to post-doctoral training and who has experience treating TMJ disorder.
If you have a dentist tell you a full-mouth reconstruction is necessary, it’s important you get a second opinion from a dentist with some expertise. This is a very advanced procedure and requires both training in occlusion as well as cosmetic work.
You don’t only want a dentist who understands how your bite should come together, but who can create a gorgeous smile for you at the same time. Ideally, you’d want a dentist who’s reached accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are among the top in the world. You’ll be pleased to share any smile they create. In fact, most of them have a beautiful smile guarantee.
This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.
