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Injectable Muscle Relaxation Treatment for Jaw Pain
Injectable Muscle Relaxation Treatment for Jaw Pain
Injectable muscle relaxation treatment may be used as part of the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
If you would like further information or have any concerns, why not book in a consultation with Nicola, who will be happy to discuss this with you during your appointment.
I qualified as a dentist from the University of Central Lancashire in 2015 and has developed expertise in oral surgery and facial pain management. Since 2019, she has worked as a Specialty Doctor in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, managing complex surgical and pain-related conditions within secondary care.
Alongside her clinical role, Nicola is an Honorary Clinical Lecturer at Cardiff University and holds an MSc in Teaching and Learning for the Health Professional, reflecting her strong commitment to education, evidence-based practice, and high clinical standards.
For over seven years, Nicola has treated patients with myofascial pain and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD), with particular expertise in the use of botulinum toxin for therapeutic management of masseter and temporalis muscle-related pain. Building on this advanced anatomical knowledge and precision-based approach, she has recently expanded her practice to include aesthetic botulinum toxin treatments, offering patients safe, subtle, and natural-looking results.
In some cases of TMJ-related pain, symptoms are caused or worsened by overactivity of the jaw muscles such as clenching and/or grinding habits.
Injectable muscle relaxation treatment works by temporarily reducing excessive muscle activity, allowing the muscles to relax. This can help reduce jaw pain, muscle tension, clenching, and associated symptoms such as headaches.
This treatment is used for therapeutic purposes only as part of TMJ pain management and is not provided for cosmetic reasons.
This is a short, minimally invasive procedure carried out while you are seated comfortably in the dental chair. Small, carefully measured amounts of medication are administered into specific jaw muscles at several points to achieve the desired clinical effect.
A very fine needle is used, and you may feel a brief stinging or scratching sensation. Most patients tolerate this well and do not require local anaesthetic. The effects are not immediate and may take up to 14 days to become noticeable.
When carried out by a suitably trained dental professional, injectable muscle relaxation treatment is generally safe and well tolerated. Side effects are uncommon. A full assessment will be completed beforehand to ensure this treatment is appropriate for you.
This treatment may not be suitable if you:
Your dentist will discuss suitability, benefits, and risks with you before treatment.
You may experience mild tenderness, swelling, or bruising at the injection sites. To help optimise your results and reduce the risk of side effects, please follow the guidance below:
For the first 48 hours, please avoid:
Side effects are usually mild and temporary and may include:
All potential risks will be discussed with you prior to treatment.
This treatment provides temporary relief from muscle-related jaw pain and may help interrupt the pain cycle associated with TMD. In most patients, the effects last approximately 3–4 months.
Occasionally, the treatment may be less effective or may not provide the expected level of symptom relief. A small number of individuals may respond less well, particularly if they have received similar treatments previously.
A review appointment after 4–6 months is usually recommended to assess your response to treatment, review your jaw health, and discuss ongoing management options.