Q. hi Rob. i have been suffering from severe muscle tension and fatigue in my facial muscles for over a year now. i believe it is bruxism or/and tmj. i have a lot of discomfort particularly when talking. i have done vigourous research on botox and feel it will be beneficial for me to do. i used a mouth splint for around 3months but no improvement. i am desperate to alleviate my symptoms. can you advise me please. many thanks

A. Your symptoms sound similar to a joint/ muscle problem known as TMD, but it might be one of several other things. To resolve TMD you need to consider the whole person, stress counselling, bad habits and then treatment like splints and botox. Botox is at the thin end of standard treatments, but has a place. Most teaching Dental hosiptals will have a TMD clinic, in the private sector I have seen presentions by Dr Bob Khanna on Botox for TMD. However most Botox practitioners would not carry out many TMD treatments.
Rob

Dr Rob Tennet
St Johns Dental Practice
www.e-dentalpractice.co.uk
Tel: 0121 643 0610
18 Bennett’s Hill
Birmingham B2 5QJ