Medical Treatment
TMJ Dysfunction /
Facial Slimming
A favourite treatment for the stressed-out Melbourne girlies! (Yes men too, but TMJ is three times more common in women.) If you wake up with a sore jaw, frequent headaches or neck and shoulder tension there is a good chance you are clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep. For many people stress is the biggest culprit. When we are stuck in flight-or-fight mode muscle tension increases, often leading to unconscious clenching during the day or whilst we sleep. Over time the key muscles involved (masseters and temporalis muscles) respond to the constant workout by becoming bulkier and stronger. This creates the vicious cycle: Stronger muscles generate more force, leading to even more clenching and worsening TMJ symptoms.
Managing TMJ involves a combination of stress reduction, protecting the teeth and releasing muscle tension. Muscle-relaxant injections work by temporarily reducing the activity of these overactive muscles. As they stop contracting all the time, they gradually begin to shrink (atrophy) back towards their original size. This “slimming effect” is what gives people longer-lasting relief from their symptoms. A smaller muscle generates less force helping to break the vicious cycle of clenching. As an added bonus, reducing the size of a bulky masseter muscle can soften a broad jawline creating a slimmer, more oval face shape. If jaw clenching or TMJ symptoms are impacting your day, we'd love to chat about whether this treatment might be a suitable option for you.
