The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located on both sides of the head at the point where the jawbone meets the skull. The temporomandibular joint is used during talking, eating, swallowing, and other everyday activities. If this joint becomes displaced or is overworked through excessive teeth grinding, a person may suffer severe tension headaches, as well as sharp pain in the jaw.  

Botox® was once reserved for lessening the tell-tale signs of aging, such as annoying wrinkles and frown lines. But more recently Botox injections are being used frequently in dental offices as a great alternative treatment for more troublesome maladies such as TMJ, which may include headache, clenching/grinding and sleep bruxism.  

Scientific studies have shown that patients who received Botox® injections experienced significant improvements in pain, function, ability to open their mouth and levels of tenderness to palpation. Botox® relieves jaw tension by making muscles unable to engage in the powerful, often unconscious movement of the jaw that produces headaches and pain.