Advanced & Specialty Treatments

Botox for TMJ and Jaw Clenching in Fort Collins

Waking up with a sore jaw, getting headaches near your temples, or being told you grind your teeth at night often points to the same cause: a chewing muscle that never gets to rest. Botox can quiet that muscle. At Murphy Dental we use it as one piece of a complete TMJ plan, never as a stand-alone fix.

Schedule Appointment

(970) 225-8081

How Botox Helps Jaw Pain

The masseter and temporalis muscles do the heavy lifting when you clench. Small, carefully placed doses relax them just enough that they stop overpowering the joint. Many patients feel less tension within a couple of weeks, and the effect usually lasts three to four months before a repeat visit is needed.

What it Can and Cannot Do

Botox is not FDA approved specifically for TMJ disorders, so using it for jaw clenching is an off-label use that dentists and physicians rely on based on clinical experience. Research results are mixed. That is why we start with a full exam and talk through whether your pain is coming from the muscles, the joint itself, or your bite. Botox helps most with muscle-related pain and clenching. It is less likely to help if the joint has a structural problem, and in that case we will tell you so.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Exam and history. We check your bite, jaw movement and the muscles around your joint, and review your health history. If we need a closer look at the joint, our 3D cone beam scanner gives us one.
A plan that fits. Botox often works best alongside a custom night guard, so you protect your teeth while the muscles relax.
Treatment. The injections take only a few minutes. Most people go straight back to their day.
Follow-up. We check how you are feeling and adjust the plan before your next round.

Who May Not Be a Good Candidate

Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and some neuromuscular conditions rule it out. We will go through your health history before we recommend it.

Cost and payment

Pricing depends on the areas treated and the amount used. [confirm pricing model with the practice, per unit or per visit] Dental insurance rarely covers Botox for TMJ, and some medical plans do, so we are happy to help you check before you book. We offer in-office financing if you would like to spread the cost out.