Botox for bruxism. Anyone tried it?

[Helenahandkart]

Just that really. I have constant jaw ache from a combination of TMJ disorder and grinding/clenching my teeth while I’m asleep. It causes regular migraines as well, and my jaw constantly dislocates.
The maxfax surgeon says there’s no surgical target for the tmj.
The dentist gave me a mouth guard to wear but it caused me even worse pain, bleeding gums, and lockjaw. A couple of times I couldn’t open my mouth to remove it in the morning.
I don’t think my GP will prescribe muscle relaxants, so the only possible solution I can find is Botox. It’s an expensive option for me so I don’t want to waste my money. I’m also not someone who believes in messing your face around with fillers etc so feel quite apprehensive about using Botox.
Has anyone done this, and how did it work for you please?

Hello OP

I have had this twice now, spaced five months apart.

It was a private dentist and they give the lowest dose possible.

I have found it very helpful but it's not a 100% fix for me. The idea is that it works by weakening the muscle. I have woken up to the sound of me tapping my teeth so clearly the impulse remains!

But...it is SO much better than taking codeine for the pain and walking around with a swollen face and being unable to eat even a strawberry.

I was really scared to try it but I was desperate.

They told me to still wear my mouthguard. I find it really hard to sleep with that in so I only use it when the tapping happens.

Muscle relaxants help sometimes but sometimes not. I am not sure what to do because two treatments a year could really weaken the jaw. But it wasn't something that happened every night so I'm thinking that I will wait to see how things go before going again.

Dentist also suggested acupuncture might help, I might try that next time.

I hope you find a solution, it is a very tough thing to deal with.

@DaisyNGO
Thank you Daisy. That’s good to hear what you have to say about it. Maybe I need to think of it as an occasional option just to have a bit of respite from the problem, rather than making it a regular thing.
I’m a bit worried that I’ll end up slack-jawed and drooling. Did you find it made eating difficult?
I also read that the botox leaches into your system and can end up affecting your bowels. Faecal incontinence seems a high price to pay!

Sorry, only just saw this

No, it didn't make eating difficult at all. There was no sense of being slack jawed or anything. I would definitely go to a dentist and not just a beauty place.

I am worried about the long term but I do think it might not be needed.
I'm also learning to hold my jaw differently,
I know that sounds odd.

I didn't wait for the full on jaw clenching and pain to return before I had my second session. When another five months has gone, I might try acupuncture.

My dentist - NHS, not the one who did the botox - said some patients are sorted after just one treatment! So you never know.

PS there is a risk of a wonky smile. The dentist showed me pics. I was in a lot of pain so took the risk.

Thank you.
I’m constantly trying to hold my jaw in a relaxed fashion. It’s amazing how much brain power it requires.
I already have a really wonky smile. Maybe Botox will even it up!
Thanks for your advice, much appreciated. I hope yours settles down. It’s so miserable isn’t it.

I am in a similar position to you with the migraines, nightguard and lockjaw. I’m trying an osteopath to see if that helps as the thought of Botox scares me. Haven’t been able to fit in an appointment yet but osteopaths have really helped with my back, knee, hip and shoulder problems before so am very hopeful.

@Jerble oh interesting. I hadn’t thought of an osteopath. Let me know if it helps.

I have botox for this and it really helps. No side effects. I've done it for years.

Very relevant thread for me. Have been in agony since middle of August, can’t even open my mouth wide enough for dentist to take an impression for a mouthguard.

Dentist said NHS referral could be 9 months so I opted for a private maxfac surgeon have an appt next week, I’m sure Botox will be an option. At this point I don’t care I just want to be pain free for a bit.

I found it helped but it wasnt a cure-all perfect fix the dose is so low i was pretty underwhelmed it did help noticeably but in an understated way

The dentist said it’s stress! I have fibromyalgia and the right side of my body seems very affected it’s where I get migraines, my shoulder is also painful and tense, I had a trapped nerve in my neck last year which was agony, my ribs ache, my hip hurts you get the picture lol. Now it’s my jaws turn, dihydrocodeine makes it bearable but I know there’s no real fix.

Following OP as mine has got worse over the last year following braces, I’m not sure if it’s the braces or if I’m now just more stressed. My dentist hasn’t been massively helpful so I’m going to book in for Botox because it’s getting to the point where I’m in pain every day.