Therapeutic Injections
Therapeutic injections deliver medication directly to targeted areas to help reduce inflammation, relieve muscle spasms, and provide relief from orofacial pain.
Because injection therapy requires precise placement and an understanding of the complex anatomy of the face, jaw, and surrounding structures, it should be performed by an experienced specialist trained in this type of treatment. Our team carefully evaluates each patient to determine whether therapeutic injections are appropriate and develops a treatment approach based on the underlying condition and individual needs.
Types of Therapeutic Injections
The type of therapeutic injection recommended depends on the source of pain, the underlying condition, and each patient's individual treatment needs.
Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections target localized areas of muscle that are particularly tight, tender, or painful. By delivering medication directly to these areas, treatment can help relax the affected muscles and reduce associated pain.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks use medication to temporarily interrupt pain signals along specific nerves. They may provide relief for acute or chronic pain conditions, including cluster headaches, migraines, trigeminal neuralgia, other forms of nerve pain, and certain types of dental pain.
Learn more about our trigeminal neuralgia nerve block injections.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections deliver anti-inflammatory medication to targeted joints or tissues. They may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with conditions such as arthritis of the jaw joint, certain headache disorders, and other inflammatory pain conditions.
Botox®
Botox® is a purified protein that temporarily reduces muscle activity by weakening targeted muscles. By decreasing excessive or sustained muscle contractions, Botox® may help relieve pain associated with conditions such as myofascial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, migraines, and tension-type headaches.
Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) Injections
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a blood-derived treatment prepared from a patient's own blood. PRF contains platelets, fibrin, and naturally occurring growth factors that may support the body's healing response and tissue repair.
In appropriate patients, PRF injections may be used as part of the treatment of certain TMJ disorders and other conditions affecting the jaw and surrounding tissues.
Benefits of Therapeutic Injections
Therapeutic injections can precisely target the nerves, joints, or muscles contributing to pain, delivering medication directly to the affected area. For many patients, this can provide meaningful pain relief and help manage symptoms over time.
Depending on the underlying condition, a series of treatments may help maintain comfort and support improvements in pain and muscle function. Therapeutic injections are also often used alongside other treatments, such as oral appliances, physical therapy, or medication, as part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan.
Unlike surgical procedures, therapeutic injections are generally minimally invasive. They typically involve less disruption to surrounding tissues and may allow patients to return to their normal activities with minimal downtime.
Our Approach
Our approach to therapeutic injections is individualized and focused on identifying the underlying source of pain. After a comprehensive evaluation, we determine whether injection therapy is appropriate and, if so, select the treatment that best fits the patient's condition and goals.
Because precise placement is essential to effective injection therapy, our experienced team uses its specialized knowledge of the nerves, muscles, and joints of the orofacial region to develop and administer targeted treatments. Therapeutic injections may be used alone or in combination with other therapies as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.