Relief Beyond Night Guards
Some jaw pain and clenching muscles need more than a guard. BOTOX relaxes the masseter and temporalis muscles that overwork, easing headaches, jaw ache, and evening grinding — and the same anatomy-aware technique softens gummy smiles by relaxing the upper-lip elevator muscles. At Upper West Side Dental, therapeutic BOTOX is considered conservatively: after a careful TMJ evaluation, never as a first answer.
How Therapeutic BOTOX Works
Tiny measured doses relax specific overworked facial and jaw muscles — not numbing them, just letting them rest. Relief typically begins within days, peaks over one to two weeks, and lasts about three to four months. We review spacing and dose with you before anything happens so the plan is written and chosen, not decided at the chair. Anatomically the approach targets overworked muscles: the masseters for clench-release, the temporalis for temple-band headaches, the lip elevator for gummy smile softening. Doses are conservative and written into the chart with the muscle map. The pain-adjacent benefit most patients report first: morning headaches vanish within days. For clenchers already breaking night guards, BOTOX takes the edge off the force pattern while the bite gets stabilized — complementary rather than competing therapies.
- TMJ evaluation first — BOTOX considered after conservative care
- Masseter and temporalis relief for clenching and tight-jaw pain
- Upper-lip relaxation to soften gummy smiles
- Quick visits with little or no downtime
What to Expect
Evaluate & Diagnose
Joint and muscle review to confirm muscle-driven pain is the real target.
Map Carefully
Injection sites are mapped to your anatomy and your symptom story.
Review & Refine
Follow-up at two weeks for fine-tuning; results typically last 3–4 months.
Why Patients Choose Us
Anatomy Daily Work
A dentist works in face muscles every day — the clinical vantage is real.
Conservative First
Guards and habit work lead; BOTOX follows when those are not enough.
Honest Limits
Joint-structural problems belong to specialists — we refer transparently.
Thinking about botox for tmj & gummy smiles?
Appointments are never double-booked — first evaluation includes a written plan with estimated costs.
Is TMJ BOTOX Right for You?
Best candidates: persistent jaw-muscle pain, clenching that wears through night guards, or morning headaches that do not yield to conservative care. For gummy smiles, presence of prominent gum display when smiling plus healthy gums makes you a candidate. Not for pregnancy, certain neuromuscular conditions, or active skin infections — we screen carefully first. Reviews happen at the two-week mark because results mature — the goal of the follow-up is to fine-tune with a tiny second pass if needed rather than over-dose the first. That ordering is non-negotiable here.
- Guard-wearing but still sore
- Morning tension headaches
- Jaw clicking with muscle tightness
- Visible gums on smiling (esthetics)
What Therapeutic BOTOX Costs
Pricing depends on dose and areas treated, quoted in writing at consultation. Therapeutic use may receive partial insurance contribution in some cases (we verify); strictly cosmetic application is always out-of-pocket, with CareCredit available.
Guard-First, Referral-Ready
If the exam shows a joint problem or arthritis, BOTOX is not the answer — imaging and specialist care is. We will tell you plainly upfront rather than spend your visit backwards.
Why Have It Done at a Dental Office
Dentists work with facial and jaw muscles every day. Our conservative dosing philosophy is dental practice ethos applied to aesthetics and jaw relief: soft results, clear consent, written plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule Your Visit
Appointments are never double-booked — the room is reserved just for you. Book online or call (917) 261-7555.