Article Submitted by Dr. Sid Solomon DDS
I am always searching for new technology and advances in the dental world. I feel it is my obligation to give my patients the absolute latest and greatest. In the last few years, dentists and myofacial specialists have realized the powerful potential of an unlikely substance in the dental office: Botox® and dermal fillers.
Research and experience have proven that, in addition to smoothing out wrinkles, Botox® can be used therapeutically to relieve a wide range of painful, limiting, and sometimes embarrassing facial and dental issues associated with severe or chronic muscle contraction. Botox® (the most commonly used form of butoxlinA) is essentially a muscle relaxer. Because it can be applied to the specific area causing pain, Botox® is, in certain cases, the most optimal targeted treatment method. I have personally administered Botox® to my patients to help with the following types of problems:
Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dys- function (TMJ). In brief, “TMJ” is a term used to refer to the acute or chronic pain and impairment caused by inflammation and spasms of the muscle that connects the jawbone to the skull. Besides severe pain and discomfort, TMJ can result in the loss of proper jaw function, and patients often have trouble speaking or chewing. Botox® injections are, in certain cases, the perfect short-term solution to TMJ issues.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). Doctors can use Botox® to help relieve pain associated with knots or trigger points in the face and neck. These localized muscle contractions often find relief from Botox® injections.
Tension-type Headaches. Research has shown that over
90 percent of all headaches are tension headaches. Tension headaches can be successfully treated with Therapeutic Botox®. Often associated with the chewing muscles, this type of headache can last from 30 minutes to a week or longer. Certain cases of migraine headaches have also been known to respond well to Botox® injections.
Bruxism (grinding) or Clenching. Besides causing ten- sion headaches, bruxism can wear down your teeth, make them crack and chip, and can produce TMJ. Therapeutic Botox® in conjunction with a night guard can protect your teeth from continued wear and keep your jaw joints healthy and pain free.
Sid Solomon DDS is a TMJ expert who scientifically treats TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) and conditions associated with type of malady. The most common TMJ symptoms that Dr. Solomon is able to effectively treat are headaches, migraines, ringing in the ears, vertigo, clicking and popping of the jaw, facial pain and numbness in the figertips.