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

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.

We are proud to be one of the few dental practices in the area offering Dysport for TMJ, which may (in certain cases) replace the nightguard or be used in conjunction with it to treat TMJ.

TMJ refers to inflammation or disorders of the temporomandibular joints, which attach the lower jaw to the skull. These joints allow for purposeful movement, such as speaking, yawning and chewing.

When these joints don’t work properly, you may notice:

A clicking sound in front of the ears when yawning
Painful chewing or jaw movements
Pain in the head, neck, shoulders and jaw
Tooth wear, if your TMJ is related to teeth grinding (bruxism)

TMJ Solutions: How Dysport Works

Dysport is an injectable that temporarily freezes the muscles associated with TMJ and bruxism. This is a one-day treatment that can last for several months.

First, we assess your TMJ symptoms to help determine whether Dysport is a suitable treatment option. If you are a candidate, we carefully administer the product.

Looking for Dysport for TMJ in Dunedin?

To learn more about Dysport or nightguards, or if you’re ready to book a consultation with the dentist, we welcome your call.

Our dental team is happy to work with ZipPay and Q Card.

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 ...

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November 19, 2025

Jaw Comfort to Finer Lines: The Full Spectrum of Dysport® Treatment at Bell Hill Dental

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Are you considering cosmetic injectables? Whether your goal is to soften facial lines or discuss options that may help with jaw-related muscle tension, the team at Bell Hill Dental can provide professional guidance. Ally, our dentist and certified provider of facial injectables, offers Dysport® treatments in a clinical ...

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Do you wake up with a sore jaw or have frequent headaches associated with jaw pain? You aren't alone. What you may not know is that there’s a treatment, an option for relief. Many people associate cosmetic injectables like Dysport with smoothing facial lines and reducing wrinkles. ...

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Understanding TMD: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

tmd treatment dunedin | man smiling after treatment

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.

When these joints don’t function correctly, they disrupt oral function and cause pain. TMD ...

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