 If you grind your teeth often, you might have a condition known as bruxism. The involuntary action of teeth grinding can not only be an annoyance for the patient but can also cause headaches, jaw pain, gum sensitivity, chipped teeth, or damaged enamel.
If you have given all conventional treatment options a chance and nothing has worked for you, you may be surprised to learn that botulinum toxin or Botox has been proven to be an effective treatment method for individuals suffering from bruxism.
At Platte Valley Dental Care, Staci Blaha, DDS and Trent Blaha, DDS have the relevant experience and specialty in the area to execute the high level of technique required during the process.
Here is everything you need to know about Botox for bruxism to help you make an informed decision:
Botox for Bruxism
When individuals with bruxism are treated with botulinum toxin, a small amount of this neurotoxic protein is injected into the patient's muscles that are responsible for moving their jaw. Usually, the masseter muscle that enables chewing is injected with the toxin. It can also be injected into the temporalis and frontalis muscles according to the specific condition of the patient.
The botulinum toxin helps reduce clenching and also helps reduce headaches and tension. While the protein takes about one to three days to kick in, it can take up to fourteen days to work, and the effects can last three to six months.
Side Effects of Using Botox for Bruxism
When injected by our experienced doctors, botulinum toxin is relatively safe. However, like every other dental procedure, Botox also comes with a few potential short-term side effects, including the following:
[[[Excessive tearing or dryness in the eye
~Drooling
~Crooked smile
~Cockeyed eyebrows
~Droopy eyelid
~Headache
~Flu-like symptoms
~Swelling, bruising or pain at the injection site]]]
If the botulinum toxic spreads into your body, which only happens under extremely rare circumstances, it may result in:
[[[Loss of bladder control
~Breathing problems
~Muscle weakness
~Trouble swallowing or speaking
~Vision problems]]]
In such a case, you need to call us right away.
To discuss all your treatment options, call us today at (816)858-2027.
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