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Learn about using Botox to treat facial pain, migraines, TMJ & bruxism.

A migraine is a common type of headache that may have a variety of symptoms including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. In many people, a throbbing pain is isolated to one side of the head. Some patients suffering from migraines have warning symptoms, known as auras, before the actual headache begins.

The diagnosis for a Migraine usually includes the following criteria:

  • 5 or more headaches within a 3 month span – each lasting between 4 and 72 hours

At least two of the following:

  • Pulsating sensations
  • Unilateral pain
  • Moderate to severe discomfort
  • Pain aggravated with exertion

And one of the following symptoms:

  • Light and sound sensitivity
  • Nausea and/or vomiting

Types of Migraines include:

  • Episodic – defined as less than 15 migraine headaches per month
  • Chronic – defined as 15 or more migraine headaches per month
  • Episodic migraine with aura
  • Chronic migraine with aura
  • Chronic migraine without an aura

Learn how Botox can treat migraines

Trigger Points are defined as hyper-irritable points in the skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fiber. Trigger Points can be easily identified by holding palpation for 6-10 seconds at 4-8lbs of pressure. Myalgia will have no referral of pain, meaning the site and source of pain are the same. Myofascial pain will have a pain referral to another location, the site and source of pain are different. Trigger points occur at various sites in the head and neck.

TMJ, TMD, and Myofascial pain refer to different pathologies affecting the masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related facial structures. The TMJ and its associated muscles control chewing and movement of the jaw. It is a hinge joint connecting the mandible to the temporal bone of the skull.   TMJ pain is often the result of issues with the joint and/or surrounding muscles including, but not limited to, grinding/clenching of teeth, stress in facial muscles, dislocation of the disc, arthritis or trauma to the jaw.

Symptoms of TMJ related facial pain include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the face, jaw, neck, temples and shoulders
  • Limited range of motion concerning the jaw
  • Feeling of jaw being stuck or locked in position
  • Clicking, popping sounds in the jaw when opening and closing
  • Tense muscles in the face and neck
  • Difficulty chewing or feeling teeth aren’t coming together properly

Learn more about TMJ

Radiesse

Why grow old gracefully when there’s no need to?! Over time what was once healthy young skin begins to lose its elasticity and volume. The skin’s natural collagen starts to break down, facial volume diminishes, wrinkles and facial lines appear. You may even begin to look older than you feel.

The reality is there are ways to slow down or reverse the effects of aging. You can bring back that youthful look and replenish your natural collagen by restoring lost volume with Radiesse. The Radiesse facial injection treatment has a unique formula that stimulates the production of new collagen helping to correct lines and wrinkles for up to a year.

Radiesse consists of calcium-based microspheres in a water-based gel with lidocaine for nearly pain-free injections. Areas of the face that are treatable include:

  • Facial wrinkles
  • Smile lines
  • Frown lines
  • Marionette lines

Radiesse can actually help restore new skin beneath the surface – restoring fullness and an overall youthful look without the need for invasive surgery.

Treatment options for facial pain and headaches vary based on the type and cause of pain. It’s beneficial to utilize conservative options when treating facial pain. After receiving a proper diagnosis the treating clinician will determine what treatment plan is best.

Treatments options include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound, trigger-point injections, therapeutic Botox injections, ethyl chloride, low level laser therapy. TENS and laser light wave therapy send low levels of electrical or radio waves of energy to the affected area to stimulate blood flow to the joint and surrounding area.

Botox injections are being used more frequently in dental offices as “off label” treatments for more troublesome maladies such as TMD. Studies have shown patients who received these injections experienced significant improvement in pain, function, ability to open their mouth and levels of tenderness to palpation. Only your dentist can determine if you are a candidate for this treatment, the frequency of injections will depend on the severity of your condition.

To achieve a successful outcome, it is important for your dentist to use the correct injection technique, as well as follow the appropriate dosage guidelines.