Trigger Point Injections

A trigger point injection (TPI) is a therapeutic procedure in which medication (often an anesthetic or steroid) is injected into painful knots of muscle called trigger points to alleviate pain and discomfort. These trigger points are often found in the head, neck, shoulders, and jaw muscles. When left untreated, they can lead to headaches, myofascial pain or even temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Your trigger point injection treatment will consist of our dentist locating the trigger points in your muscles and then injecting the proper medication directly into those trigger points. Relief from pain and stiffness is often experienced within a few hours of the procedure; however, it is not uncommon for relief to take a few days. While TPI is generally very effective, the outcome of treatment varies greatly on the severity of the problem and any underlying conditions being treated. TPI treatments typically last anywhere from a few days to several months. Because the effects of TPI are not permanent, we may recommend multiple injections in order to establish long-term relief.

TPI is a minimally invasive procedure and can be performed safely and effectively right in our dental office. If you are wondering if TPI is right for you, please don't hesitate to ask. Our team will perform an evaluation to ensure treatment will fit your individual needs.