Unlocking Jaw Relief
Bruxism involves the involuntary clenching and grinding of teeth, often occurring during sleep. It can lead to dental issues such as worn-down enamel, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth fractures. Additionally, bruxism can exacerbate TMJ dysfunction causing more discomfort for the individual. Dysfunction in this joint can result in a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, headaches, earaches or blocked ears, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and difficulty opening or closing the mouth (1).
Bruxism and TMJ Dysfunction are usually diagnosed from a detailed clinical history and examination. For Bruxism, there might be signs of wear on teeth, and symptoms like jaw pain or headaches. TMJ Dysfunction diagnosis typically includes a physical examination of the jaw area for pain, tenderness, and mobility issues, as well as feeling and listening for joint noises during jaw movement. In some cases, imaging tests such, X-ray, MRI or CT scans are used to assess any underlying structural issues (2). Early diagnosis is key to effectively managing these conditions and preventing further complications.
Bruxism and TMJ Dysfunction treatments focus on relieving symptoms and preventing further damage. For Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, options include using custom-made night guards to protect teeth, practising stress-reduction techniques, and medications to relax jaw muscles. TMJ Dysfunction treatments often involve stretching the jaw and specialised exercises, wearing dental splints to correct alignment of the jaw, and pain management strategies (3). In more severe cases, advanced treatments like occlusal adjustments or surgery may be considered.
Injections into the masseter muscles have gained recognition for their therapeutic potential in addressing bruxism.
Injections contain a substance that temporarily relaxes muscles by blocking nerve signals. When injected into the masseter and temporalis muscles, primarily responsible for chewing, these injections reduce muscle activity. By relaxing the masseter and temporalis muscles there is less pressure on teeth and TMJ when clenching (4). This, in turn reduces the likelihood of TMJ dysfunction and damage to the teeth. It will also help improve symptoms such as headaches and tension in surrounding muscles.
Typically, patients can expect the benefits of these injections to last 6 months. The duration of relief varies depending on individual factors such as the metabolism of the medication, severity of the condition and muscle responsiveness.
If you're looking to alleviate the discomfort caused by bruxism and TMJ dysfunction, consider discussing the potential benefits of injections with Dr Jason Yu. Located next to Redfern Station and close to Waterloo, Alexandria, Zetland, Erskineville and Marrickville, a pain-free and more comfortable life is within reach.
1. Jonathan Lomas, Taylan Gurgenci, Christopher Jackson, Duncan Campbell. Temporomandibular dysfunction. Australian Journal of General Practice. [Online] April 2018. [Cited: 1 19, 2024.] https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/april/temporomandibular-dysfunction.
2. The value of MRI in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction: Correlation of MRI and clinical findings. Thomas J Vogl, Hans-Christoph Lauer, Thomas Lehnert, Nagy N N Naguib, Peter Ottl, Natalie Filmann, Howard Soekamto, Nour-Eldin A Nour-Eldin. 4, s.l. : European Journal of Radiology, April 2016, European Journal of Radiology, Vol. 85, pp. 714-719.
3. Temporomandibular Disorders. Steven J. Scrivani, David A. Keith, Leonard B. Kaban. 25, 2008, The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 359, pp. 2693-2705.
4. Bruxism- is botulinum toxin an effective treatment? Arthi Kumar, Silvia Spivakovsky. 2, s.l. : Evidence-Based Dentistry, 2018, Vol. 19, p. 59.
