TMJ Teeth Grinding

The term TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint - the hinge joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw, and they allow you to speak, chew and open nd close your mouth.

Sometimes people use the term "TMJ" to referto TMJ disorders. These are conditions that cause pain, stiffness, or disfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.

Common symptoms include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Difficulty chewing or limited jaw movement
• Headaches, ear pain, or facial discomfort 

TMJ can develop from a variety of causes, including jaw clenching or teeth grinding, stress, arthritis, injury, or a misaligned bite.

Treatment

A schedule 4 medication that temporarily relaxes muscles can be carefully injected into the overactive jaw muscles (often the massetter and temporalis). By relaxing these muscles you can experience a reduction in the intensity of clenching and grinding, easing pressure on the temporomandibular joint.

Potential Benefits

• Reduced jaw tension and pain
• Fewer tension headaches 
• Relief from teeth grinding and clenching 
• A softer more relaxed appearance over time