My Experience Receiving Botox for TMJ

34 Comments 7 min read

** Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and I can only recommend services based on my experience with them. Please consult your doctor before undergoing any procedures.**

getting botox for TMJ, botox in jaw, TMJ relief

I received Botox in exchange for this post and it may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own. I only promote brands that I truly love and believe in! Thank you for your support!

Why I Got Botox Injections for TMJ

If you’ve never heard of it, TMJ is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. Which simply means that where the temple (temporo-) and jaw bone (mandibular) join together there is swelling, discomfort, or malfunction. What this equates to for most people is pain near their chewing muscles along the jaw bone up below their ears. It can come from any number of things, misaligned teeth where you chew, injury to your teeth, cavities and dental work, muscular injury to the chewing muscles, or in my case, grinding your teeth at night due to stress. I’ve always been a high-stress person, even on my days off according to my husband, but I never thought it would end up causing me physical pain.

I actually heard about Botox for TMJ for the first time when I was going in to get a facial. I asked for ibuprofen and told the tech about how I had recently had a crown put on one of my molars. My bottom left molar had cracked from continuous grinding and jaw clenching at night! So you can imagine how long I had been carrying that stress. Now my tooth nerve was trying to recover, and it was having a hard time with my jaw clenching when I slept.

One of the assistants at a med spa was listening to my pity party mentioned that she had recently gotten botox for her TMJ and now her jaw felt like heaven! Botox, for your jaw?! I was skeptical at first even though I have had botox for my forehead before. So, naturally being the expert Googler that I am, I went home and did my research to find out what it was all about.

My Experience Getting Botox Injections for Jaw Pain

Before any med spa appointment, I always research what I am going to be getting done in order to understand and know what to expect from the treatment. My first search is typically is for the bad side effects, more on those later. I eventually after talking with Spencer decided that it was worth the potential upside to get it done. So I called and made an appointment. You can find my recommendations for places to get Botox for TMJ at the end of this post.

Getting the injection is easy and virtually discomfort free! You feel a small prick when the needle goes in, and that is it. With the jaw, there are usually several injection sites on both sides of the face with a small needle. The goal is to get the masseter muscle to relax, and that requires botox in several places.

The Results after the Treatment

It takes about seven days for the Botox to kick in, and 3 weeks to visually see the results. Some people report results as soon as two days after, but my experience with Botox has always been about seven days. So as always, manage your own expectations by understanding that there is some difference between people’s bodies and their reactions.

The Benefits of Getting Botox for TMJ

Of course, the treatment wouldn’t be worth getting if there wasn’t an upside or two! Here are the pros that I have since getting botox in my masseter muscle:

  • pain relief in my jaw
  • ability to open mouth wider
  • less jaw clicking
  • less distress to my teeth and dental work
  • a heart-shaped face with less of a round face look


The Side Effects of Getting Botox for TMJ

As I mentioned before, I’m not a doctor or medical professional of any kind, so you should consult with a doctor before you decide on any procedure, cosmetic or otherwise. Here is a list of all the possible side-effects that I found, or heard about before my treatment. Any side-effects I experienced are bolded and explained further below

  • headache immediately after
  • flu-like symptoms
  • temporary eye-lid droop
  • respiratory infection
  • redness at spot injection
  • bruising
  • antibodies can render the TMJ botox treatment useless over time
  • double vision
  • difficulty speaking
  • excessive muscle weakness
  • hoarse voice

The above symptoms are the ones I discovered during my research, and some apply to general botox as well. I haven’t experienced any of the above side-effects personally, any of the times that I received Botox for my “11” lines on my forehead, so I was confident that they wouldn’t show up after my jaw treatment. After all, was said and done, I only had one negative symptom, and that was a headache immediately after treatment. I’m not even sure if it was caused by receiving the treatment, because the positive effects are delayed, and I had such aggravating pain leading up to the treatment. Actually, the worst thing about getting Botox for TMJ isn’t even related to the treatment.                                                                                        

Botox for TMJ Cost

The major downside to this procedure is that it costs more than I would like. The cost of Botox injections for TMJ is calculated by the number of units used. In Utah, each unit ranges from $8-15, depending on sale prices, the location providing the treatment, and the quantity purchased at once. For my treatment (and most other TMJ treatments) it is a total of 40 units, or 20 units per side. Please do not get botox that is under the market value of $8. Quality neurotoxin should be costing your injector about $8 a unit. Anything less means that it was imported (not up to FDA standards/could have anything in it), or it has been diluted (meaning it won’t last as long, if at all).

That means that if you get 40 units, which is a common amount, at $10, the treatment will be $400. Keep in mind that there will be 2-4 injection sites per side, so that cost goes up quickly. Expect anywhere from $200-600 for a complete treatment.

Botox provides relief for TMJ from anywhere between 3-6 months, so that’s another thing to keep in mind. This depends entirely on how your body breaks down the drug. This varies from person to person and can only be found out through personal trial. My treatment has lasted over 6 months, but it is by no means a permanent procedure.

Botox for TMJ Before and After Pictures

before and after photo of botox for TMJ, before and after photo of botox in jaw, TMJ botox therapy
Before (left) and after (right) of Botox treatment in jaw for TMJ pain relief

26-year-old received Botox injections, botox injections, preventative botox
Before (left) and after (right) of Botox treatment in the jaw for TMJ pain relief
results from Botox in the jaw, botox in masseter muscle, botox for tight muscle
Before (left) and after (right) of Botox treatment in jaw for TMJ pain relief

My Honest Review

I would absolutely recommend this treatment to someone looking for a way to alleviate the pain caused by tension in the jaw. Since the injections, I have found myself having fewer headaches since my treatment, and I don’t wake myself up in the middle of the night from biting down on my teeth. I have slept better and felt better during waking hours. I’ve spent a lot less time thinking about my face hurting! I could definitely use a bit more Botox this round to get complete pain relief, but I prefer to err on the side of caution with Botox therapy. I do plan on going back in to get a second round of treatment when this Botox wears off!

Where to Get TMJ Botox in Salt Lake City, Utah

Finally, if you are from around Salt Lake City, I have a recommendation of the perfect place to get Masseter botox injections. I’ve been to a lot of different injectors and had a variety of experiences. The bad ones include being pressured to get more botox than I wanted in different areas, and botox that didn’t seem to work as well as it is intended (insert side eyes here). However, I finally found a medical aesthetic place I love! Still Aesthetic Medicine is owned by Dr. Julie Nielsen. She’s been injecting for 15+ years and finally opened her own practice!

Dr. Nielsen has a balanced approach to aesthetics, and promotes using injections to enhance natural beauty. She is highly skilled, and absolutely loves to share her knowledge with all of her clients. During my visits with her, she takes care to teach me about the products she is using and how they will work with my body and face. She believes in helping women and men feel their best, both physically and mentally. I highly recommend her!

Thank you for reading Lauryncakes. If you have any questions or comments there is space below for you! I read all my comments and try to respond promptly.


If you want to see more of me make sure to follow @lauryncakes

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34 Comments
  • Cathy OBrien
    March 6, 2018

    I have TMJ and my dentist told me it was something I have to live with. Maybe I will give this a try! Thanks for posting!

    XOXO
    Cathy

  • Annette Dattilo
    March 6, 2018

    I had no idea Botox could treat tightness of the jaw. I have the worst happen of tightening my jaw. I find myself constantly trying to remind myself to relax it. Thanks for sharing.

  • Emily Wilkinson
    March 6, 2018

    This is super interesting! It's crazy how much Botox helps certain issues. I had thought about getting it for my migraines!

  • Anna E. Fox
    March 6, 2018

    This is SO interesting – I never would have thought that it could help these sorts of issues.

  • Cheryl van den Berg
    March 6, 2018

    I've never done any botox before, but I like that you can use it to treat things like TMJ. So happy that it worked out for you.

    http://www.ohtobeamuse.com

  • Laura Leigh Elliott
    March 6, 2018

    This is so incredibly interesting! Botox just blows my mind, it does so much! Glad it helped you gal.

    xo Laura Leigh
    http://www.louellareese.com

  • House of Loren
    March 7, 2018

    First of all I'm so glad you found a treatment that works for your TMJ! I don't have it (that I know of) however, there is so many benefits to botox I"ve been reading about that I've highly considered it! Thanks for sharing your experience, I love reading about it and it'sgood to see how great you look since there's a misconception about faces looking too frozen after treatment, yours looks very natural! x

  • Lisa Fitch
    March 7, 2018

    So glad you shared your experience with this! You look amazing too! I might need to look into doing this!

    XO-Lisa
    http://www.thatssodarling.com

  • A Gallon of Glitter
    March 7, 2018

    I'm gonna share this with someone I know who is also having jaw problems! thanks girl!

    xoxo
    Victoria
    http://www.agallonofglitter.com

  • Morgan Flinchum
    March 7, 2018

    So awesome that you only had one side affect and SO MANY pros!!

    -Morgan
    How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com

  • McKenna Trahan
    March 7, 2018

    This is intriguing to me as someone who has suffered from TMJ. T would have never thought about botox! Thanks for enlightening me! 🙂

  • Ashley Hargrove
    March 8, 2018

    This is so interesting!! I have severe jaw pain and they can't figure out what's going on. I need to ask if this is an option for me!

  • Azanique Rawl
    March 8, 2018

    I had no idea Botox could fix jaw pain! This is so cool 🙂

    -xo, Azanique | http://www.lotsofsass.com

  • Oh What A Sight To See
    March 8, 2018

    Super interesting! I didn't know botox could help with this. I'm so glad this helped you!

    xoxo, Hannah

  • nicole marie cranley
    March 8, 2018

    I think a lot of people don't understand how many things botox can help with! There's a common misconception that botox is simply for purely cosmetic reasons, when it has so many other potential uses/benefits!

  • Elizabeth Hugen
    March 8, 2018

    Wow, I never knew about this! Its crazy how many things botox can do!

    Liz

  • Laura Adney
    March 8, 2018

    I've heard of botox for things like migraine but I had never heard of it for TMJ! Thanks for sharing your experience and so happy it's helped you!

    xo, Laura

  • Nelli Kal
    March 9, 2018

    I had no idea about the benefits of botox, your before and afters are amazing. So happy you are not experiencing anymore jaw pain. Xo, Nelli

  • Maggie
    March 9, 2018

    This was so interesting! I never knew botox would be good for jaw pain

  • Ruthie Ridley
    March 9, 2018

    I had no idea Botox could treat tightness of the jaw. I have a friend that struggles with this! I will have to let her know!!

  • Nina Lacher
    March 12, 2018

    I've heard so many great uses for Botox! Need to try, but maybe just for my forehead wrinkles lol!

    Xo, Nina
    Law of Fashion Blog

  • beth huffstutler
    August 23, 2018

    How many units did you need starting off? I’m so fed up with the pain and constant tension in my jaw. You look great!

  • Baily
    February 8, 2019

    How many units did you have to get ?

  • Sonja Christensen
    April 18, 2019

    Hey Lauren, I have an appt for botox for TMJ in a week. It was reassuring to read you had some relief . I’m excited but also slightly nervous because when I had cosmetic botox, I did have a tension type headache in my forehead for several days after. Fingers crossed I don’t have that issue this time. My jaw causes so much pain and really diminishes my quality of life. It drives me crazy that there aren’t more real treatment options. This post is from a year ago. Have you kept up with the botox?

    • lauryncakes
      April 19, 2019

      Yes! I just got botox for TMJ a few weeks ago! I documented it on my InstaStories on @lauryncakes! It’s on my highlights on my profile called TMJ

  • Entelechy
    May 31, 2019

    Dear Lauryncakes,

    I so appreciated your writing this up and the photos. The reason is that I just went into a doctor who diagnosed me with extreme jaw and neck chronic pain (I did not need her to tell me!)—and immediately said she would relieve me with Botox.

    I am someone who does not put any medicine into my body without checking at least a dozen websites and medical journals.

    This was the first time I said: “Please, anything! Just do it!”

    It has only been a few days, so it has not completely kicked in, but I have felt already enormous relief. Like life is bearable again. Who knows if this is from the Botox or from the anti-inflammatories she also injected? (*But I think it is the Botox asI feel my muscles a little numb)

    Of course now I just decided to check and see what possible horrible side effects I am risking! So I was so relieved to find your site!

    Could I please ask if once it kicks in, whether you feel your face to be “numb” or otherwise strange?

    Also: one point I do want to mention: the amount of Botox injected in jaws is MUCH more than that injected for wrinkles (jaw muscles bigger) so it is a major intervention.

    But I am so far very glad I did it. Which comes as a great surprise—-given that I am also someone who never wanted to do Botox for any reason (cosmetic or otherwise).

    Another friend in Canada told me she also felt Botox saved her. My jaw pain was ruining my life.

    Do keep me posted on what to expect when it kicks in fully!

    And no: no headache at all.

    • lauryncakes
      June 1, 2019

      Hi Entelechy! You should not (and I did not) get any numbness in my face once it full kicked in. I’m so glad you have found relief!

  • Sherika
    August 11, 2019

    Thanks I am a mother and very busy! This helped me alot!

  • Jane (UK Based)
    February 17, 2020

    Hi Lauryn,

    This was an amazing read.

    I work in health insurance so have somewhat of an understanding of this and this treatment isn’t offered nearly enough in the United Kingdom.

    Keep up the excellent content, you have a great website and a big HELLO from the UK.

    Thanks
    Jane

  • Chelece
    August 18, 2020

    I just had this done a week ago, and I hadn’t looked up side effects prior. I’m so happy to have found your blog because I was beginning to see more horror stories than positive ones! I got 20 units in each side of my jaw and it’s been about 10 days. I feel the tension being relieved, but also can see my jawline looks a little slack. As your Botox was wearing off, did your masseter muscles begin to rebuild, or did you get your second treatment before the first was completely gone? Thanks again for the excellent information and I’m happy to hear the treatment has been working so well!

    • lauryncakes
      August 24, 2020

      Hi Chelece! Excited for you to get some jaw tension relief! As the botox wears off, my jaw starts to hurt a bit again and I can tell I will need new injections when I start clenching my teeth at night again. The good news is that my injector mentioned at my last appointment that my muscles have started to go down (after 3 treatments). Getting TMJ botox won’t relax the muscles forever completely, but it does reduce the tension and muscle size long term, even after the botox has worn off.

      • Chelece
        September 1, 2020

        Thanks for the response. It’s been a few weeks now and I can feel such relief! I hope I get six months out of this, too 🙂

  • Debra
    March 18, 2021

    The Botox for TMJ may be covered by insurance. Speak to an ENT doctor. I have had multiple oral surgeries due to clenching. It is horrible.

    • lauryncakes
      March 19, 2021

      Thank you for this tip!