What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching. It is unrelated to normal functions such as eating or talking. It often occurs at night, without patients being aware of what is happening.
What Are the Symptoms of Bruxism?
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleeping partner
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely
- Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it’s actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
How Can A Boston Plastic Surgeon Treat Bruxism?
Most cases of Bruxism can be treated with lifestyle changes and dental appliances, however, there are cases when either none of the methods work or there is a temporary exacerbation of the symptoms unresponsive to treatment. In these situations, Xeomin/Botox injections can provide a very efficient and lasting pain relief to many patients.
The treatment involves a series of injections of Xeomin or Botox into the Masseter muscle as well as Temporalis muscle. These medications weaken the force with which the muscles contract, thus reducing the pain in the TMJ.
At Wellesley Cosmetic Surgery, our Boston plastic surgery office has a core group of patients who have consistently experienced long lasting results and markedly improved quality of life with regular Xeomin/Botox treatment for Bruxism.
If you have any questions or need more information on Xeomin/Botox treatment of Bruxism, please, call our office located outside of Boston at (781) 214-8408.