The Double Effect: Neurotoxins for TMJ Pain and Facial Slimming
It’s no surprise that neurotoxins are a popular treatment for smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, neuromodulators certainly kick those crow’s feet and laugh lines to the curb, don’t they? But did you know that botulinum toxin injections like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin have some other applications that can make you look and feel better? In this article, we’ll discuss how neurotoxin treatments can be used to alleviate TMJ pain and slim the face.
What is TMJ?
The acronym “TMJ” is often associated with disorders that cause jaw pain. However, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is actually just the name of the joint that’s responsible for allowing you to open and close your mouth. The TMJ joins the “temporal bone,” also known as the skull, to the “mandible,” which is the jaw. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to eat or speak very well.
There are several conditions that could cause pain to be present around the neck and jawline areas, including:
Bruxism (teeth clenching or grinding)
Arthritis
Joint erosion
Structural issues in the jaw
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) is the universal name of the condition that results from these issues and causes pain in the neck and jawline areas. Aside from pain in the jaw, other symptoms of TMJ include:
Headaches
Stiffness in the jaw
Reduced mobility or lockjaw
Popping or clicking sounds when the jaw is opened
The National Institute of Health (NIH) has estimated that up to 12 million U.S. adults suffer from TMJ pain. While the condition is difficult to diagnose, neurotoxins have been proven to alleviate pain effectively.
How Do Neurotoxins Reduce TMJ Pain?
The primary goal of neurotoxins is to stop a muscle from contracting. When facial muscles contract, the movement creates creases on the face, leading to fine lines and wrinkles with repeated muscle use over the years. When the muscle is relaxed, the crease doesn’t form and the skin smooths out. This is why neurotoxins have been used to reduce signs of aging on the face.
When a neurotoxin is injected into the masseter, which is one of the main muscles in your jaw, the muscle loses strength. This means you won’t be able to clench or grind with as much force, so inflammation in the area is reduced and TMJ pain lessens. Since we don’t need as much strength in this muscle as it ultimately provides, the injection doesn’t impair proper chewing or speaking.
How Long Will Neurotoxins Keep TMJ Pain at Bay?
If relieving TMJ pain is the goal of the injection, neurotoxins will yield results for roughly 3-5 months before additional treatments will be needed. However, initial results may not be felt for up to two weeks after injection, with peak results being felt between 4 and 6 weeks. Patients can expect the jaw to feel sore at the injection site or in the injected muscle for roughly 24 hours after treatment.
Facial Slimming with Botox?
An added benefit that comes along with neurotoxin injections in the masseter muscle is that the treatment gives the face a slimmer appearance. A large jaw muscle can easily give the face a square, masculine appearance. Since neurotoxins reduce the strength of the muscle, it also reduces in size over time. This softens the jawline and often makes the cheeks more pronounced, giving a square face a more feminine, heart-shaped, or oval appearance.
Which Neurotoxin is Best for TMJ Pain and Facial Slimming?
Here at Bougie Aesthetics, we want you to have the best long-term results possible after every treatment. That’s why, instead of Botox for TMJ pain and facial slimming, we recommend Xeomin. Botox is a great neurotoxin, but the body eventually becomes immune to its effects after prolonged use due to the body’s antibody response. Xeomin’s formula, on the other hand, does not trigger the immune response that other neurotoxins do. Since TMJ pain is often reoccurring, it’s best to choose a neurotoxin that can be used long-term.
Ready for TMJ Treatments and Face Slimming in Fort Worth?
If your jaw could benefit from neurotoxin injections, Bougie Aesthetics is here to help! Give us a call or book a consultation to see if Xeomin or Botox treatments are the right fit for your TMJ or face slimming needs.
