Botox

Botulinum toxin is a substance produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum.  It has been purified under very strictly controlled conditions.

The muscles you use for chewing food and talking sometimes work overtime (such as when people grind their teeth at night) causing facial and/or jaw joint pain.

Botulinum toxin is injected in extremely small amounts into affected muscles.  The exact way it works is quite complicated, but the end result is that it blocks nerve impulses to relax the muscle and relieve the spasm.  Relaxing the jaw closing muscles can also provide relief for the jaw joints by decreasing the muscular loading of these joints.

This is a very important question.  The active ingredient in Botulinum toxin is the same one that, in much larger amounts, can cause botulism poisoning, although rare, can occur if a person eats food that is contaminated with the bacterium called Clostridium botulinum.  If this happens, large amounts of the toxin are swallowed, then absorbed into the bloodstream and circulated throughout the body.  This can affect the breathing muscles leading to respiratory paralysis, and sometimes death.

However, Botulinum toxin is injected directly into specific muscles, and only in extremely small doses, to relieve spasm and suffering safely.  Because the doctor ensures that it is not injected into the bloodstream, other parts, of the body and functions are unaffected.

Many drugs in common use would be harmful if given in large enough doses or in such a way as to affect the entire body.  Given in the appropriate way in the right amounts, they are valuable allies in fighting illness and suffering.  Clinical studies over more than 15 years have shown the Botulinum toxin is effective and produces few side effects.

Botulinum toxin therapy for the treatment of jaw joint and related problems is experimental.  The drug is proven safe. However, its usefulness for this condition is as yet scientifically unproven and under investigation by us.

Production of Botulinum toxin is carefully controlled at every stage to be sure it is safe for medical use.  Your doctor has been specially trained to use it safely and to manage any problems that may occur.  Appropriate starting doses have already been determined for the facial musculature in humans.

Botulinum toxin should not be given to anyone who has reacted badly in the past to any of its ingredients.  Your doctor will ask you about this.  It shouldn’t be used if there is infection or inflammation in the part of the body where the injection is to be given.  Pregnant or nursing women should not be treated with Botulinum toxin, because it is not known if it might harm the baby.

Botulinum toxin comes in glass vials containing a small amount of crystals. A special solution containing water and a small amount of salt is added just before use to make it ready for injection.  The drug is injected into the affected muscles(s), using a sterile, disposable syringe with a fine tip needle.

The doctor may use a technique called electromyography (EMG) to be sure that the needle is in the correct muscle.  Affected muscles produce extra electrical activity which electromyography can detect.  The doctor will use a special needle connected to an EMG machine that guides him/her to the right position for the injection.  In some disorders in which many muscles are involved, several injections may be required.

Botulinum toxin itself does not cause irritation or inflammation when it is injected.  Patients occasionally complain briefly of discomfort or pain at the injection site.  Because the muscles injected may already be very sensitive, intra-venous sedation or general anesthesia is often given to the patient just before commencing Botulinum toxin therapy.

Side effects may occur, but they are usually mild, don’t last long and can be treated.  Serious side effects are uncommon, and no long-term complications have been reported.  Side effects vary, depending on where Botulinum toxin is injected and for what purpose.  Your doctor can tell you which ones might apply to you.  However, most patients find that the relief of symptoms far outweighs any discomfort the drug may cause.