Botox for bruxism

Botox for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders Botox for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders can be an effective option in certain cases, according to the S3 guideline “Diagnosis and Treatment of Bruxism,” especially when other conservative treatments have not been sufficiently effective. Botox is typically injected into the affected muscles in the jaw area to reduce their activity and thereby alleviate tension and pain.

The application of Botox for TMJ disorders has several potential benefits:

Muscle relaxation: Botox temporarily blocks the release of neurotransmitters responsible for muscle contraction. This relaxes the muscles in the jaw area, which can reduce pain and tension.

Reduction of muscle activity: By reducing muscle activity, symptoms such as teeth grinding (bruxism) or involuntary teeth clenching during sleep can be reduced.

Improvement of jaw function: By relaxing specific muscles in the jaw, Botox can improve jaw mobility and alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorders such as restricted mouth opening or difficulty chewing.

These services are typically not covered by health insurance. The treatment costs approximately 500 EUR and depending on the severity of the tension, needs to be repeated quarterly at the beginning, then semi-annually.