Using Botox injections for the treatment of TMJ/TMD

Patients with TMJ disorders looking for a solution for clenching, grinding, and damage to the smile may want to ask the team at Cosmos Dentistry in Bellevue, Washington, about the advantages of using Botox injections for treatment.

What is Botox?

Dr. Tokiko Poppe of Cosmos Dentistry describes Botox as an injectable designed to reduce muscle contractions. It is used in many areas of medicine. It has been shown to be an effective treatment for cervical dystonia, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), chronic headaches and migraines, and even overactive bladder. At Cosmos Dentistry, we utilize these injections to treat conditions such as temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise referred to as TMJ disorder or TMD. While it is most well-known for reducing facial wrinkles, our team primarily administers Botox for TMJ/TMD.

Understanding TMJ/TMD

TMJ/TMD is a disorder that affects the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. This is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. TMD causes pain and instability in this area, making eating, talking, and even sleeping difficult. It can also produce clicking sounds when you move your jaw. TMD can have a variety of causes but is often related to bruxism.

Bruxism is the clenching and grinding of teeth that happens during sleep. This condition wears down your teeth and makes it difficult to open and close your mouth correctly. With Botox injections, the tension in the muscles around the mouth is significantly reduced, which in turn reduces clenching and grinding that can break dental restorations and even the natural teeth.

Can Botox be used for facial wrinkles?

While not our primary focus with Botox injections, this treatment is also effective at smoothing fine lines and wrinkles throughout the face. This is the best way to address wrinkles and folds caused by muscle tension throughout the face, also known as dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles include forehead folds, glabellar lines (also known as the “elevens” between the eyebrows), and lines around the eyes, known as crow’s feet.

Enjoy Botox for the treatment of TMJ disorder

Dr. Tokiko Poppe and her team in Bellevue, Washington, work with new and returning patients interested in addressing the pain and discomfort that comes from TMJ and TMD to find out if Botox injections are appropriate for their needs.

If you live in or around the area and want to connect with our team at Cosmos Dentistry, call (425) 448-4770 to request a visit. Our team of professionals is ready to assist at the office, conveniently located at 1515 116th Ave NE, Suite #301.

Dr. Tokiko Poppe

Dr. Tokiko Poppe graduated from the University of the Pacific's Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. She has received extensive training in all aspects of dentistry and was involved in craniofacial research and studies on cleft lip and palate in school.

Dr. Poppe also completed a General Practice Residency in California, where she cared for medically-compromised adults at Veterans Hospital and children under general anesthesia at the University Medical Center. She is a member of the ADA, AAGO, AAPMD, WSDA, SKCD, AGD, American Laser Study, TBI Ambassadors, and AMR advanced program. She has completed Spear Education which dentists pursue to learn complex restorative dentistry. Dr. Poppe is also an osteopathic-trained dentist, having learned the whole-body approach from osteopathic physicians. She follows continuing education to stay abreast of the latest dental trends and enjoys sharing her knowledge with her community.

She also holds a Japanese dental license and speaks Japanese and English.