Muscle relaxant injections offer a quick, minimally invasive option for relieving jaw pain and tension associated with clenching, teeth grinding and overactive jaw muscles. Treatment is tailored to your individual needs, helping to reduce excessive muscle activity while maintaining normal jaw function.
How Does It Work?
Clenching and teeth grinding can place repeated strain on the muscles around the jaw, contributing to pain, tension and other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder.
Treatment involves injecting small amounts of muscle relaxant into targeted jaw muscles, most commonly the masseter muscles. This reduces excessive muscle activity and the effects of grinding and clenching without relaxing the muscles so much that normal jaw movements, such as eating and speaking, are affected.
As TMJ symptoms can have different underlying causes, a detailed specialist assessment is important to determine whether muscle relaxant injections are appropriate for you. You can learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment options on our TMJ Disorder page.
Who Is Suitable for Treatment?
Muscle relaxant injections may be suitable if clenching, teeth grinding or overactivity of the jaw muscles is contributing to persistent jaw or facial pain, muscle tension or associated headaches.
During your initial consultation, your specialist will assess your symptoms and jaw function to determine the most appropriate treatment pathway. If your symptoms are caused by a mechanical problem within the jaw joint itself, an alternative treatment may be recommended.
Muscle Relaxant Injections for TMJ Disorder – Treatment Overview
A small number of injections are administered into targeted muscles, commonly the masseter
Treatment is tailored to your individual jaw muscle strength and symptoms
The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes
Normal jaw function is maintained for everyday activities such as eating and speaking
Results typically last for approximately three months
An initial specialist consultation will determine whether treatment is appropriate for you
What Happens During Treatment?
A small number of injections are administered using very fine needles into the muscles contributing to your symptoms, most commonly the masseter muscles. The dose is determined by your specialist based on your individual needs and muscle strength, as stronger jaw muscles may require a different dose.
The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes. Local anaesthetic is used to keep you comfortable during treatment, and you can return to your normal routine afterwards.
Results and How Long They Last
Some patients may begin to notice an improvement within 24 hours, although three to four days is more common. As the muscle relaxant takes effect, excessive activity in the treated muscles is reduced, helping to relieve the pain and tension associated with clenching and grinding.
The effects typically last for approximately three months. With ongoing treatment, the dose may be reduced or the interval between treatments increased depending on your individual response.
Why Choose 152 Harley Street for TMJ Treatment?
TMJ symptoms can arise from the jaw joint itself, the surrounding muscles or a combination of both. At 152 Harley Street, treatment begins with a detailed specialist consultation to understand the cause of your symptoms and how they are affecting your quality of life.
Where muscle overactivity is contributing to your symptoms, treatment is tailored to your individual jaw muscle strength and needs. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, your specialist will determine the appropriate injection sites and dose for you.
We also offer both non-surgical and surgical treatment pathways for TMJ disorder. If your symptoms are related to a more complex problem within the joint, our specialists can advise on further investigation and treatment, including highly specialised Jaw Joint (TMJ) Arthroscopy where appropriate.
The cost of treatment depends on your individual requirements and the dose needed. Your specialist will assess your symptoms during your initial consultation and confirm the recommended treatment and associated costs.
The injections are administered using very fine needles, and local anaesthetic is used to help keep you comfortable during treatment. The procedure itself is quick, usually taking approximately 15 minutes.
Some patients may notice an improvement within 24 hours, although three to four days is more common. Results develop as the treated muscles begin to relax and excessive muscle activity is reduced.
The effects typically last for approximately three months. Over time, some patients may require a lower dose or may be able to increase the interval between treatments.
Have Questions About Muscle Relaxant Injections for TMJ Disorder?
If you would like to learn more about muscle relaxant injections or find out whether this treatment may be suitable for you, please complete the form below and our team will be happy to assist you.
"I cannot thank Dr Lloyd enough for my TMJ surgery. Professional, caring and an excellent doctor!"
