If you suffer with the painful symptoms of TMD, Dysport may be a solution for you.

patient needing tmd treatment with dysport

You Don't Have to Live with Jaw Pain. We Can Help.

Treatment for TMD and Bruxism in Dunedin

patient at consultation for tmd treatment with dysport in dunedin

Are you experiencing frequent headaches, especially in the morning? Do you ever feel pain or tenderness when you’re chewing? Have you noticed wear on your teeth from clenching and grinding them at night?

If you answered yes to any of these scenarios, you may be suffering from a jaw joint (TMJ) disorder known as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). At Bell Hill Dental, one way we provide TMJ relief in Dunedin is with Dysport injections.

Here’s what you should know about Dysport and how it provides relief for TMD.

What is TMD?

TMD occurs when your TMJ muscles aren’t functioning properly. TMD can cause a host of symptoms, and many people suffer from multiple concerns, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Here are some of the symptoms you may experience if you suffer from TMD:

Neck and shoulder pain
Pain or tenderness when biting or chewing
Jaw locking open or closed
Jaw joint clicking or popping
Frequent headaches or migraines
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

The Procedure: Dysport Injection Steps at Bell Hill Dental

Here’s the step-by-step process of achieving jaw pain relief in Dunedin with Dysport.

Digital Assessment

Our dentists will use digital x-rays, photos and a thorough exam to diagnose your TMD. Finding the root cause of your TMD is the best way for our dentists to make the most beneficial treatment recommendations for your needs.

The Injection Process

Working with your dentist for Dysport injections makes sense as your dentist is fully trained in facial anatomy, structure and musculature. Your dentist also has expertise in delivering comfortable injections, as they do this daily with dental procedures.

Post-Treatment Care

Our dentists will follow up with you after treatment to ensure that the Dysport injections were effective in relieving your TMD symptoms. We may recommend additional treatment options to complement your injectables and achieve the best results from your TMJ treatment in Dunedin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are cosmetic injectables used to treat TMD?

If you suffer from jaw pain, headaches or tension caused by temporomandibular disorder (TMD), you may be surprised to learn that therapeutic muscle relaxant injections can provide relief. At Bell Hill Dental, we offer TMD treatment in Dunedin using Dysport cosmetic injectables to relax overactive jaw muscles and ease discomfort.

How Do Cosmetic Injectables Help with TMD?

TMD often results from excessive jaw clenching, teeth grinding (bruxism) or muscle tension. Cosmetic injectables, typically used for wrinkle reduction, can also temporarily relax the jaw muscles. This helps reduce strain and alleviates pain.

Here’s how our injectables work:

Reduces Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding – Injectables prevent unconscious clenching and protect teeth from damage.
Eases Jaw Pain and Headaches – Many TMD sufferers experience frequent headaches or facial pain due to muscle tension. Injectables can help by softening overworked muscles.
Improves Jaw Function – Relaxing the jaw muscles can reduce stiffness, so it can help make it easier to chew and speak comfortably.

Is TMD Treatment Right for You?

Are you looking for TMD treatment in Dunedin? Cosmetic injectables with Dysport are a minimally invasive, effective solution that have helped many patients. We welcome your call and invite you to book your consultation at Bell Hill Dental.

Who administers Dysport at your dental practice?

Dr Ally Dunning, our certified injectable provider and one of our dentists, administers all Dysport treatments at Bell Hill Dental. She’s an experienced dental professional with dual qualifications as a registered nurse and a dentist. She brings extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and injection techniques developed through years of practice.

Dr Ally understands the precise muscle groups involved in facial expressions and jaw function. This knowledge proves especially valuable when she’s treating cosmetic concerns and conditions like temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and bruxism (grinding). You can feel confident knowing that a qualified healthcare professional is performing your treatment.

The procedure itself is comfortable and fast. Dr Ally will start by assessing your needs and goals, and then determine the proper placement of your injectable. The process is quick, generally only taking a few minutes.

You’ll begin to notice results over the next few days after your injection, while the full effects will appear within a couple of weeks. Most people find that the effects last three to four months, though individual results may vary. You may have some slight bruising or swelling at the injection site, which is normal and will go away quickly.

Ready to Explore Dysport Treatment in Dunedin?

Are you considering cosmetic injectables or therapeutic muscle relaxant treatment? Dysport offers a minimally invasive solution. We welcome your call and invite you to book your consultation with Dr Ally at Bell Hill Dental.

Why Choose Dysport for TMJ Relief?

couple smiling in dundein, otago, nz

Dysport uses small, safe amounts of a neurotoxin to temporarily ‘freeze’ the muscles that contribute to TMD symptoms and keep them from contracting. This provides relief from TMD for some patients. The effects of Dysport injections typically last three to four months before you’ll need treatment again.

Ally, our certified injectable provider and experienced dentist, can complete the injections during a single visit to our dental clinic, with minimal downtime afterwards. Most patients begin to experience some relief in the first few days after their injections, with full results taking about two weeks to develop.

Specialised Local Care

Bell Hill Dental is proud to be one of the limited practices in Dunedin offering therapeutic injectables for TMD. We provide a convenient, local solution for chronic jaw pain and clenching that is otherwise difficult to find in the Otago area.

Talk with Our Team

The first step towards learning more about TMD is to arrange an evaluation with one of our dentists. You can request a visit online or call our team on (03) 477 8387. We look forward to helping you find relief.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr Ally Dunning BHSc, BDS
Dentist

Ally is a dual-qualified registered nurse and dentist, graduating from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2010.

Since graduating, Ally has worked in both public and private practice, including two years at Dunedin Public Hospital as a dental house surgeon, where she acquired skills in both surgical and emergency dentistry. Ally practices all areas of general dentistry, including cosmetic and restorative treatment. However, she is interested in oral surgery, the removal of 'hopeless' teeth, including wisdom teeth.

Another area of Ally's interest is in tethered oral tissues, ...

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Understanding TMD: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

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TMD, sometimes called TMJ, is a disorder of the temporomandibular joints, which connect the lower jaw to the skull. These vital joints allow for purposeful mouth movements, such as eating, speaking, yawning and general opening and closing.

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