Botox Relieves Grinding, Tense Jaws
When someone mentions "Botox," most people probably think of it as a way to smooth out wrinkles. But for those who grind their teeth at night or suffer from TMJ, Botox can be a way to relieve pain. Health Specialist Denise Dador explains how it works.
"How's it feeling? Is it more relaxed?" asks Dr. Alexander Rivkin.
The tension in Claudia Rovner's jaws gave her a lot of pain.
Claudia: "I had been experiencing grinding tension in my jaws."
She says the grinding started 30 years ago. Different dentists gave her various types of mouth appliances that she basically chewed through.
Claudia: "I tried so many things to help myself and nothing helped."
Dr. Alexander Rivkin: "When you grind your teeth, a couple of things happen: Your teeth get worn down and eventually you can crack teeth."
There's also the chronic headaches. Dr. Alexander Rivkin says four to one, teeth-grinding affects more women. And you can tell which people are chronic grinders.
Dr. Rivkin: "They're working out this muscle every day and night, and it gets big."
The mascitor muscle or the chewing muscle is the most powerful muscle in the head. Dr. Rivkin says take care of that muscle and you get to the root of the problem.
Dr. Rivkin: "Botox in the mascitor muscle has been done in Asia for quite a while for cosmetic reasons."
It can thin out a square-looking face.
But Dr. Rivkin realized Botox along the jaw also has a therapeutic effect.
Dr. Rivkin: "You give Botox in this muscle and the muscle shrinks."
Too little and you won't get any effect, but too much and you could temporarily lose your ability to eat and make expressions. The key is to determine the correct dose.
Dr. Rivkin: "If you give the right amount of Botox, they can still smile and chew and they don't feel it at all, except that they don't grind."
The cost depends on the size of the muscle. It can range from $200-$700 a session. And since the effects are temporary, patients must get repeat treatments every three to four months.
Claudia says she wishes she had done this earlier. "The headaches are gone, the tension is gone. I'm not clenching my jaws. I feel good."