Botox & Dysport for North Haledon, NJ

Two reasons people ask

Most people who ask Montville MedSpa & Pain Center about Botox or Dysport want softer lines across the forehead, between the brows or at the corners of the eyes. A smaller group comes for an altogether different reason: a jaw that aches, clicks or tires, often from clenching or grinding, sometimes with headaches attached. The same family of medicine, botulinum toxin type A, can help in both cases, and both are treated here, because the practice’s founder runs its pain center as well as leading its injector team.

The same mechanism in both places

A neurotoxin stops a nerve from releasing acetylcholine where it meets a muscle, so the targeted muscle cannot contract as hard. In the forehead, the skin over a quieter muscle smooths. In the jaw, overactive chewing muscles that drive clenching and grinding relax, which reduces the strain on the joint and the tissue around it. The effect wears off gradually as the body breaks the product down.

Why the jaw is diagnosed first

“TMJ” covers several problems, and they are not alike:

• Muscle-related pain, tight and sore jaw muscles from stress, clenching or grinding.
• Joint inflammation, with tenderness close to the ear and pain when chewing or talking.
• A displaced disc, which produces clicking, popping or a jaw that locks.
• Degenerative change, wear or arthritis in the joint itself.

A neurotoxin works on muscle, so telling these apart is the first job of the visit. Dr. Donna D’Alessio, MD, board certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, may suggest it alongside other measures such as stress reduction, a bite evaluation and muscle relaxation techniques.

What each appointment is like

For lines, a session lasts 10 to 20 minutes with a fine-gauge needle. Softening starts after three to five days and the full result arrives by day 10 to 14. There is no downtime; just leave the area unrubbed for 24 hours.

For the jaw, any tenderness usually passes in a day or two, and less tension and fewer headaches are often noticed within days, with relief building over several weeks. Possible effects include soreness or a bruise at the injection site, short-lived jaw fatigue and, rarely, asymmetry or a change in how your bite feels.

Either way, results typically last three to four months.

Other areas and uses

Bunny lines along the nose, a dimpled chin, lines around the lips and neck bands can be treated too, as can chronic migraines and heavy underarm sweating in suitable candidates. Nurse practitioners Amy Natalicchio and Tanya Santoro inject alongside Dr. D’Alessio.

From North Haledon

Belmont Avenue takes you south through Haledon toward Route 46, then Route 23 north and Route 202 through Lincoln Park lead to 624 Main Road in Towaco, about 24 minutes without traffic.

North Haledon patients ask

Is there a minimum age? Treatment is for adults 18 and over with no reason they should not receive botulinum toxin.

Will I look frozen? The practice aims for natural movement: rested, not stiff.

Can I come outside the working day? Tuesday appointments run until 7 pm and Saturday ones from 9 am to 1 pm.

Read more about TMJ treatment or see the full Botox and Dysport page.

Book NowCall (973) 794-3958Text (973) 834-7074