TMJ Treatment in Midtown NYC

Everyone has two temporomandibular joints on each side of the face to connect the skull and jawbone. Often referred to as TMJ, these joints act as sliding hinges whenever the mouth is opened or closed. When the TMJ function as they should, people rarely give them a second thought, but when they cause chronic pain, it’s called “TMJ disorder” or TMD.

TMJ disorder is often difficult to diagnose because it may manifest as symptoms like headaches and earaches. It’s also difficult to treat because TMD can have a number of causes that require different forms of treatment. It’s critical that you see a dentist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder in order to find lasting relief.

TMJ pain usually falls into one of the following categories:

Myofascial pain – This term describes pain in the muscles that control the TMJ, rather than pain originating in the joints themselves. Stress, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching are common causes of myofascial pain.

Internal derangement of the joint – This type of pain is typically the result of an injury that causes a displaced disc, dislocated jaw, or injury to the condyle.

Arthritis – The temporomandibular joints can be attacked by arthritis, just like the knees and other joints. Treatment for this type of pain may be provided in conjunction with a rheumatologist.

The most common symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Headaches
• Facial tenderness, particularly around the cheeks and jaw
• Pain or feelings of fullness in or around the ears
• Tightness in the jaw
• Popping and clicking sounds when eating or opening the mouth
• Locking of the jaw
• Difficulty chewing

Botox, or botulinum toxin, works by temporarily blocking nerve signals to targeted muscles, causing them to relax. When injected into the jaw muscles responsible for TMJ pain, Botox reduces muscle tension and hyperactivity that contribute to joint dysfunction and discomfort.

The treatment specifically targets the masseter and temporalis muscles—the primary muscles involved in jaw clenching and teeth grinding. By relaxing these overactive muscles, Botox can significantly reduce jaw pain, muscle tension, and related symptoms like headaches and facial discomfort.

This approach proves particularly effective for patients whose TMJ disorder stems from myofascial pain caused by muscle tension, stress-related jaw clenching, or bruxism (teeth grinding). The treatment provides relief without affecting your ability to speak, eat, or perform normal jaw functions.

One of the most compelling benefits of Botox for TMJ treatment is its dual effectiveness in addressing both jaw pain and associated headaches or migraines. Many TMJ patients experience chronic headaches due to the interconnected nature of jaw muscles and surrounding facial and neck muscles.

When jaw muscles remain in a constant state of tension from TMJ disorder, this tension often radiates to other areas, triggering tension headaches or exacerbating existing migraine conditions. The trigeminal nerve, which controls jaw movement, has extensive connections throughout the head and face, explaining why TMJ pain frequently manifests as headaches.

Botox injections strategically placed in jaw muscles can break this cycle of pain. As the treatment relaxes overactive jaw muscles, patients often experience a significant reduction in both TMJ symptoms and headache frequency. This dual benefit makes Botox an particularly attractive option for patients dealing with both conditions simultaneously.

For patients seeking comprehensive headache and migraine treatment, our Botox therapy services offer specialized care that addresses the complex relationship between jaw dysfunction and head pain.

There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for TMJ pain. Finding the right treatment for you requires diagnosing the underlying cause of your TMD, as treating TMJ pain caused by teeth grinding will be different from treating pain caused by arthritis. The most common solutions we use include stabilization splints, Botox injections, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy exercises. Self-care strategies like eating a diet of soft foods and alleviating inflammation with ice packs can also help during flare-ups.

TMJ does sometimes go away on its own, particularly if it’s been brought on by a stressful life event or injury, but if pain is persistent, it’s important to seek treatment to prevent permanent damage to the joint.

Surgery is considered a last resort for the most extreme cases of TMJ disorder. If self-managed care hasn’t helped, stabilization splints, Botox injections, and anti-inflammatory medications are a less invasive option than surgery.

Yes, if your TMJ pain is caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching, a night guard or stabilization splint will relax your jaw muscles to reduce inflammation and pain.

Stress and TMJ disorder are closely linked. For many patients, stress causes muscle tension and this muscle tension leads to nighttime jaw clenching and teeth grinding.

Call 212.685.4730 to schedule your appointment.