TMJ Treatment

TMJ Botox in New Braunfels

If you experience chronic jaw tension, facial soreness, or migraines that seem to originate around your temples or jaw, you may be dealing with a TMJ disorder. While jaw pain can have many causes, one increasingly effective and minimally invasive treatment is TMJ Botox—a targeted approach that reduces muscle tension and helps prevent pain before it starts.

At Today’s Smile Family Dental, we offer TMJ Botox as part of our commitment to comprehensive, patient-first care. This treatment can bring relief to those who have tried nightguards, pain medications, and stress management—often without lasting results. If you’re ready to explore a different option, we’re here to help.

What Is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint—the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull on either side of your face. It allows you to open and close your mouth, chew, speak, and yawn. When this joint becomes inflamed or overworked, it can lead to a group of conditions known as TMJ disorders (also called TMD).

TMJ pain often feels like:

Jaw tightness or soreness
Pain when chewing or talking
Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
Headaches or migraines
Earaches or pressure behind the ears
Neck and shoulder tension
Limited range of motion when opening the mouth

These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency—and in some cases, they worsen with stress, clenching, or teeth grinding.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

TMJ issues can stem from a variety of sources, including:

Chronic clenching or grinding (bruxism)
Misaligned bite or jaw
Injury to the jaw or joint
Arthritis
Muscle overuse from stress or tension

Even if the joint itself is healthy, the surrounding muscles can become overactive—leading to inflammation and persistent discomfort.

How TMJ Botox Works

Botox is widely known for its cosmetic use, but its medical applications are just as powerful. When used for TMJ disorders, Botox is carefully injected into the overactive muscles of the jaw—most commonly the masseter and temporalis muscles.

These small, targeted injections help:

Reduce muscle activity that causes clenching and grinding
Relieve jaw tension and soreness
Minimize headache and migraine frequency
Protect teeth and restorations from excessive wear
Improve range of motion in the jaw

By allowing the muscles to relax, Botox interrupts the pain cycle without affecting your ability to chew, speak, or express yourself. The result is relief from tension and a noticeable improvement in quality of life for many patients.

What to Expect from Treatment

The process is simple and quick—often taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

1. Consultation

We’ll begin with a thorough discussion of your symptoms, bite function, and history of migraines or jaw pain. If we determine that TMJ Botox is appropriate, we’ll develop a treatment plan customized to your needs.

2. Injection Placement

Using a very small needle, we administer Botox into the identified muscles. Most patients describe the sensation as a quick pinch. No anesthesia or downtime is required.

3. Post-Treatment Care

You can return to your regular routine immediately. Minor soreness at the injection sites is possible but temporary. Results typically begin to appear within 3–10 days, with full effect reached around two weeks after treatment.

Botox effects usually last 3–4 months. Many patients schedule regular visits to maintain relief, though treatment frequency may decrease over time as symptoms become more manageable.

TMJ Botox vs. Other Treatments

Traditional approaches to TMJ pain include nightguards, muscle relaxants, bite adjustments, and stress management techniques. These can be helpful—but for patients who continue to experience discomfort, Botox offers a different path by directly targeting the overactive muscles contributing to the pain.

TMJ Botox is:

Non-surgical
Quick and minimally invasive
Well-tolerated with few side effects
Customizable based on your symptoms and goals

It can also be used alongside other therapies, including nightguards or physical therapy, for a more comprehensive approach.

Can TMJ Botox Help with Migraines?

Yes—especially if your migraines are related to jaw tension, clenching, or grinding. Many patients who suffer from chronic headaches report a significant decrease in both frequency and intensity after starting TMJ Botox treatment.

While not all migraines are connected to TMJ disorders, we can help you explore whether jaw muscle overuse may be contributing to your symptoms.

Is TMJ Botox Right for You?

You may be a good candidate for TMJ Botox if you:

Frequently clench or grind your teeth
Wake up with jaw or facial pain
Have regular headaches that begin near the temples or jaw
Experience clicking or locking of the jaw
Have tried other TMJ treatments with limited success

We’ll always begin with a detailed evaluation to ensure the treatment is appropriate for your specific condition. If TMJ Botox is not the best fit, we’ll help you explore other safe, effective options.

Feel the Difference Without the Tension

TMJ pain and chronic migraines can take a real toll on your daily life. But you don’t have to live with the discomfort or accept it as “normal.” With TMJ Botox, relief can come quickly, safely, and without disrupting your routine.

If you’re ready to learn more about relief from jaw pain, tension, and migraines, schedule a consultation at our New Braunfels office. Today’s Smile Family Dental will listen to your concerns, walk you through the process, and help you find a path toward lasting comfort. Give us a call at 830-625-6565.