Who Should Inject Botox for TMJ?

Only a specialized dentist is able assess the bite and understand the factors that are causing the TMJ issues.  It makes absolutely no sense to let a family practitioner, dermatologist, or plastic surgeon inject the muscles of mastication for the purpose of treating a TMJ issue.  To treat the TMJ properly, you need to be assessed.  This means seeing someone who is trained to assess the bite.  This will be a specialized dentist including certain maxillofacial surgeons.  BOTOX may not even be the right treatment.  Perhaps what you need is a night guard or some other form of treatment.  Ask youself if the doctor you are seeing has the training to understand my issue?  If not, don't work with that person.  Make the effort to see someone who actually knows what they are doing.

It might be a plastic surgeon, oral maxillofacial surgeon, ENT or even dermatologist to be the best expert in TMJ. Your area may have a different specialist.

Thank you for your message! There are plenty of providers who are able to inject Botox in general and for TMJ. Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Dentists, etc. are able to inject. I would recommend consulting with a few providers and find one you feel comfortable with! 

Great question. Many types of doctors are trained to inject Botox, ranging from dentist, doctors, some nurses, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, etc. For treatment related to TMJ symptoms, t may be best to seek out a dentist, as we are trained specifically in the TMJ, head, and neck. A dentist that is trained to inject Botox also has the advantage of being able to assess the TMJ and bite and determine if Botox treatment will help you, or if you need some sort of other treatment for your specific condition. Hope this helps!

My recommendation would be to have have an Oral MaxilloFacial surgeon evaluate you and perform the Botox injections for TMJ.

You want to be treated by a doctor experience in both Botox and TMJ.  TMJ problems can be difficult.  You want to be treated by a specialist who is a expert both in TMJ issues and also extremely experienced in the use of Botox or Dysport.

While many inject Botox, it would be wise to go to someone who is a specialist for your needs.  I would recommend someone who has experience with the facial anatomy to get you the results you desire.  

That depends on who has the most experience, Typically, ENT, Dermatologists or Plastic Surgeons are very comfortable with injecting Botox into the muscles involved (the masseters).

Over the years, I have developed a good relationship with many of the dentists in my area and they refer patients to me for TMJ injections. Some of these are simply not injecting enough Botox to keep the product in inventory.

Since I inject Botox all day, I am comfortable injecting this location.

 

Having been the first to publish on the use of Botox into the masseter for TMJ the problem is the injection if too large can cause a resultant dent in back of your cheek because too large a dose was utilized. Also Botox is preferable to Dyport in that it will remain localized to the area once injected, see link on August 7 at 4:41pm.

A plastic surgeon or OMF surgeon will have the experioence and anatomy knowledge to use Botox for TMJ issues.