Help in locating a Dr. for botox treatment of jaw clenching

[phaeus]

I clench my jaw in my sleep. I even catch myself doing it during the day. My doctor told me that I clenched because my bite was off, so I wore braces for 3 1/2 years to re-align my jaw. That didn't work. I am now on my 2nd mouth guard. I find that the guard makes my clenching worse (I got the 2nd one because my current doctor said the 1st must have been poorly fitted. Wrong!). I am convinced that botox is my only hope to loosen my jaw muscles and stop my clenching. My problem is, I can't find a doctor. How do I locate a doctor in North Carolina who administers botox for my problem? I live in Raleigh, but I'm willing to drive some distance, if necessary.

[Toomanyadvil]

I am not familiar with your area. You have probably done tons of research on it but if you havent maje sure you do. Make sure you dont just pick the DR because they are willing to do it. Make sure they have done it many times and that they have the proper liscences. It pretty easy to look up a DR on the internet.  I know many DR's have used it for TMJ but because it is also considered an "off label" use of Botox and does carry some risks because the injections are so close to the throat and an unliscenced DR could cause you much harm.
I dont want to scare you out of it or anytthing, but I do just want to make sure you pick your DR very carefully and make sure they know what they are doing. Botox injections that close to the throat can be dangerous. But I have heard that it can be a successful treatment for some people.

I hope you find a great DR who has done it many times and has a high success rate!

[GIZMOGIRL]

read wilipedia on it -- 20-30% of people have it.  Get a pain doc to do the botox injections as a combo diagnostic/temporary cure.  Try to find someone (or a machine from wilipedia) that will help you biofeedback/stop clenching.
Good luck and good job if  you diagnosed correctly.

[sandee1818]

http://www.extraordinarysmiles.com/sep/raleigh-tmj-neuromuscular-dentistry.htm

Here is Dr.James R. Harold D.D.S
he has some new procedures that may help. I will keep looking for you though!

[sandee1818]

http://www.locateadoc.com/doctors/oral-maxillofacial-surgery/raleigh-nc.html

Here is a list of Dr's in your area.