5 ms·

I had exactly what you describe, with similar root causes. A 360 degree x-ray showed uneven wear of the jaw bone at the condyles (where lower jaw meets upper ja

I had exactly what you describe, with similar root causes. A 360 degree x-ray showed uneven wear of the jaw bone at the condyles (where lower jaw meets upper jaw) One set of botox injections into the masseter muscles completely solved this. About $250 (a cosmetic type procedure performed by doctor). It has never returned, it’s been about 3 years.

Marsymars 6y ago
Botox has some wacky non-cosmetic applications. I've got a friends whose migraines are entirely suppressed by regular Botox injections.
- mxd3 6y ago
  It's entirely possible that your friend's "migraines" are actually the headaches experienced by persons with TMJ (caused by bruxism). I say this as someone who has this condition and was previously misdiagnosed with migraines.
graeme 6y ago
Thanks, had considered that. Were you able to chew normally? And did your face change? My masseters have enlarged since I started clenching ten years ago. Finally, which sort of doctor do you go to specifically: I’m assuming they need to specialize a bit in botox for bruxism. Interesting it lasted three years and counting, as botox doesn’t last that long. Presumably your body simply lost the habit. Also interesting about the x ray, I’ll ask my dentist or doctor.
- bagpuss 6y ago
  I went to a proper doctor (UK) in Harley St, specialised in a lot of cosmetic procedures. Paid outside of my health insurance it was maybe £200 total. Botox in the masseter makes your face longer and reduced the squareness of the jawline for cosmetic purposes. I don’t think it’s safe to keep on going back to do it repeatedly, as your jawbone strength and regrowth is maintainer by the compressive forces of chewing and biting. In my case, I think it was 60/40 physical/mental. I got into a really bad feedback loop of thinking about the jaw and clenching. The botox made it hard to do that, and essentially I “forgot” the feedback loop. The results were nearly instant; I’d think maybe 24 hours and it stopped.
  - graeme 6y ago
    Wow, thanks. Did the single treatment change your face, or would that only be from repeat visits? And could you chew normally during the period the botox was active?
    - bagpuss 6y ago
      I've a plump face to begin with, I can't say it made much of a cosmetic difference, possibly made my face appear a bit longer. The botox dose was so low it didn't have much effect on my jawline, but it did "reset" or "break" the clench-pressure-clench loop which you seem to also suffer from. I found that if I tried to clench my jaw, I couldn't impart the same force as before. The relief and improvement was almost instant. It was injected in about 5 places either side. If you look up botox + TMJD or TMD you can find info on the medical aspects of botox in the masseter muscles. I would definitely look at the pillow you use also, if it's too firm it will influence your jaw position when sleeping. I hope this helps you and others reading this!

Marsymars 6y ago

Botox has some wacky non-cosmetic applications. I've got a friends whose migraines are entirely suppressed by regular Botox injections.

mxd3 6y ago
It's entirely possible that your friend's "migraines" are actually the headaches experienced by persons with TMJ (caused by bruxism). I say this as someone who has this condition and was previously misdiagnosed with migraines.

graeme 6y ago

Thanks, had considered that. Were you able to chew normally? And did your face change? My masseters have enlarged since I started clenching ten years ago. Finally, which sort of doctor do you go to specifically: I’m assuming they need to specialize a bit in botox for bruxism. Interesting it lasted three years and counting, as botox doesn’t last that long. Presumably your body simply lost the habit. Also interesting about the x ray, I’ll ask my dentist or doctor.

bagpuss 6y ago
I went to a proper doctor (UK) in Harley St, specialised in a lot of cosmetic procedures. Paid outside of my health insurance it was maybe £200 total. Botox in the masseter makes your face longer and reduced the squareness of the jawline for cosmetic purposes. I don’t think it’s safe to keep on going back to do it repeatedly, as your jawbone strength and regrowth is maintainer by the compressive forces of chewing and biting. In my case, I think it was 60/40 physical/mental. I got into a really bad feedback loop of thinking about the jaw and clenching. The botox made it hard to do that, and essentially I “forgot” the feedback loop. The results were nearly instant; I’d think maybe 24 hours and it stopped.
- graeme 6y ago
  Wow, thanks. Did the single treatment change your face, or would that only be from repeat visits? And could you chew normally during the period the botox was active?
  - bagpuss 6y ago
    I've a plump face to begin with, I can't say it made much of a cosmetic difference, possibly made my face appear a bit longer. The botox dose was so low it didn't have much effect on my jawline, but it did "reset" or "break" the clench-pressure-clench loop which you seem to also suffer from. I found that if I tried to clench my jaw, I couldn't impart the same force as before. The relief and improvement was almost instant. It was injected in about 5 places either side. If you look up botox + TMJD or TMD you can find info on the medical aspects of botox in the masseter muscles. I would definitely look at the pillow you use also, if it's too firm it will influence your jaw position when sleeping. I hope this helps you and others reading this!