Babylon Dental Care Associate Dentist Dr. Chelsea Diamond stated that Xeomin, a neurotoxin similar to Botox, is being used to successfully treat Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder.
"Now that Xeomin is getting used we are seeing a real difference in TMJ disorder treatment," said Diamond, Associate Dentist. "We inject facial muscles to relax them, because like any muscle you work out, the more you clench and grind, the bigger and fatter this muscle gets. So you want to shrink that muscle so you're not putting as much force and pressure on your teeth and you're reducing the inflammation around your joint. Reducing headaches, neck aches, and muscle discomfort has a huge impact on their lives."
According to the Mayo Clinic, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ disorder or TMD, affects the joints and muscles responsible for jaw movement. The temporomandibular joints, located on each side of the head in front of the ears, connect the jawbone to the skull. These joints facilitate movements such as chewing, speaking, and yawning. TMJ disorder can result from various factors, including genetics, arthritis, jaw injury, or bruxism (teeth grinding).
"I've been treating patients with Xeomin, which is a neurotoxin, to help alleviate the symptoms associated with TMD because the neurotoxin helps to relax the muscles of the jaw and thus reduce the pain associated with clenching or grinding," said Diamond.
A clinical trial published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation showed significant pain reduction and improved jaw function in patients treated with botulinum toxin injections compared to placebo. Neurotoxins do not stop clenching and grinding; they only treat the symptoms. After a period of time, the effect wears off as nerve impulses begin to reach the muscle again, meaning the treatment requires periodic maintenance.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, both Xeomin and Botox are botulinum toxin type A products but differ in their formulations. Xeomin is considered a "naked" form of the toxin as it does not contain any accessory proteins. This difference can reduce the risk of developing resistance to treatment over time, potentially making Xeomin a preferable option for long-term use.
The Babylon Dental Care website states that Dr. Diamond is one of the newest members of the practice and joined after observing her husband's working environment and appreciating the company's philosophy. She brings new expertise in cosmetic cases and using Xeomin injections to treat patients with TMJ.
