What Are Neuromodulators?
Neuromodulators, including BOTOX® and Dysport®, are purified forms of botulinum toxin type A. In tiny, precise doses, they temporarily block the nerve signal that tells a muscle to contract, so the muscle relaxes.
They have been used in medicine and dentistry for years, for everything from smoothing expression lines to easing chronic migraine. For jaw tension, we use them therapeutically: not to freeze your face, but to quiet the overactive chewing muscles that are working too hard, even while you sleep.
How It Helps TMD, Clenching & Bruxism
Your masseter, the large chewing muscle at the angle of your jaw, and the temporalis muscle at your temples do the work of clenching and grinding. When they are overactive, the force shows up as pain, tension, headaches and wear on your teeth.
A neuromodulator is placed precisely into those muscles. As they relax:
- Clenching and grinding ease, day and night
- Jaw pain and morning headaches soften
- The jaw feels less tight and less tired
- Your teeth are protected from further wear, chips and cracks
Because the treatment works on the muscle, not just the symptom, it pairs well with a night guard: the guard protects your teeth while the neuromodulator relaxes the muscle behind the habit.
Could This Help You?
- You wake up with a sore or tired jaw
- You catch yourself clenching during the day
- You have morning headaches that start at the temples or jaw
- Your teeth look worn, chipped or flattened
- Your jaw clicks, pops or feels tight by evening
- You have earache-like pain with no ear problem
- A night guard alone hasn't been enough
If any of these sound familiar, a consultation will tell you whether neuromodulator treatment is right for you.
What to Expect
- Consultation & assessmentEvery visit begins with listening. Dr. Kaceli examines your bite, your jaw muscles and joints, and screens your airway, because jaw tension is rarely just one thing.
- Treatment, about 15 minutesA series of small, precise injections into the masseter, and the temporalis when needed. Most patients describe it as a quick pinch. There's no downtime, so you can return to your normal day right away.
- ResultsYou may begin to notice a difference within a few days. Full effect arrives in about two weeks. Relief typically lasts 3 to 4 months, with most patients returning two to three times a year to maintain it.
- AftercareMild soreness or bruising at the injection sites is possible and fades quickly. Avoid rubbing the area or strenuous exercise for the rest of the day.
BOTOX® or Dysport®?
Both are botulinum toxin type A and work the same way. The differences are subtle: Dysport® tends to take effect a little faster (2 to 3 days, versus 4 to 7 for BOTOX®) and spreads slightly further, which can suit larger muscles. They are dosed differently, so units are not interchangeable. Dr. Kaceli chooses the product, and the dose, based on your muscles and your goals.
A Note on Off-Label Use
Why Dr. Kaceli
Dr. Monika Kaceli is Allergan-certified in therapeutic neuromodulator care, including TMJ and clenching, and an active member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE). As a dentist, she treats the bite and the muscles together, not one without the other, so relief is planned around how your jaw actually works.
Treatment is available at both our Norwood and Newton offices.
