BOTOX® does more than reducing wrinkles.
BOTOX® treatments can now be used to effectively relieve the symptoms and discomfort associated with TMJ - TMD jaw disorders, headaches and migraines. Plus, it can still help reduce your wrinkles!
No other doctor can give a BOTOX® injection better than a dentist.
It's True!
It's because dentists are experts of the musculature and anatomy of the face. And Dr. Greg Carroll is a certified provider of BOTOX® injections.
Do You Have TMJ – TMD Jaw Disorders?
- What are TMJ-TMD disorders?
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD – TMJ) occur as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. These disorders are often incorrectly called TMJ.
- What Is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, which is immediately in front of the ear on each side of your head. The joints are flexible, allowing the jaw to move smoothly up and down and side to side and enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn. Muscles attached to and surrounding the jaw joint control the position and movement of the jaw.
- What Causes TMD?
It may be due to an injury to the jaw, temporomandibular joint, or muscles of the head and neck – such as from a heavy blow or whiplash. Other causes may be:
- Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket
- Grinding or clenching the teeth putting pressure on the TMJ
- Presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
- Stress may also the tightening of facial and jaw muscles or clenching of teeth
- What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
People with TMD can experience severe pain and discomfort that can be temporary or last for many years. More women experience TMD than men. TMD is most common in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
- Common symptoms of TMD include:
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
- Often accompanied by pain when chewing
- Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open- or closed-mouth position
- Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
- Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders
- A tired feeling in the face
- Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite
- May occur on one or both sides of the face
- Swelling on the side of the face
- Other common symptoms of TMD include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, and earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain, and ringing in the ears (tinnitis).
Take advantage of the latest state-of-the-art dental techniques and dental treatments.
Do You Have Headaches And/Or Migraines?
- What types of headaches are there?
No two people feel, experience or describe pain in exactly the same way when it comes to headaches or migraines. There are many types of headaches.
- There are tension headaches.
Tension headache is the official name for tension or stress headaches and may be associated with neck pain or tightness in the neck area. A tension headache is often described as a “tightening band” around the head, or feeling like the head is “is being squeezed”. Many times its not made worse by routine physical activity, and is often of mild or moderate pain intensity. Tension-type headache is the most commonly occurring headache type of headache worldwide.
- There are migraines.
Pain of a migraine can be unilateral or bilateral. It is usually pulsating, pounding, or throbbing, and just plain painful. Regardless of where pain begins with a migraine, the pain usually settles into a one-sided headache. Most of the time, migraine pain is made worse by physical activity, such as doing laundry, driving, or climbing stairs. The vast majority of migraine attacks have moderate to severe pain intensity.
Symptoms associated with migraines include having difficulties with light – photophobia, sounds, or even smells, nausea or loss of appetite, dizziness, lightheadedness or vertigo. Many migraine sufferers have difficulty thinking or concentrating during an attack. Many migraine sufferers experience a “warning phase” preceding the headache which can last a few minutes, or can be prolonged, lasting hours, a day, or longer.
- There are chronic headaches & chronic migraines.
Recent studies have shown that chronic daily headaches may occur due to sleep apnea, insomnia, snoring, and obesity in addition to medication use. Most frequently, chronic daily headache occurs because of medication overuse. Chronic Migraines are classified when there are 15 or more headache days a month, at least 8 of which are migraines, and present for at least three months or longer. However it is not really too clear why some people experience chronic migraines and others don’t.
- Factors that MAY increase your risk for chronic migraines include:
- Being Female
- Coexisting pain disorders
- Habitual snoring
- High caffeine intake
- History of head or neck trauma
- Major life changes (divorce, having children, moving, getting married, etc.)
- Obesity
- Overuse of pain medications
- Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
- Smoking
- The FDA has approved Botox® for the treatment of chronic migraines.
This treatment option has been well studied, and the leading study to approve of this treatment involved a protocol of 31 injections in seven areas of the head and neck. Headaches were reduced by an average of 2.3 days a month. Injections of Botox are necessary four times a year.
Injections of Botox Can Relieve Migraine Headache Symptoms for up to 3 Months!
Treatment with botulinum toxins has been used for a variety of other neurological conditions for many years, and has proven to be helpful through its ability to selectively paralyze muscles and the nerves that serve them by preventing the release of neurotransmitter chemicals.