Smile makeovers have taken a new turn with Botox. While this used to only be available in the office of a cosmetic surgeon, dentists are now offering injections in their office. There are two main benefits of getting this done by your dentist; treating health conditions and creating a better smile.
Treating Health Conditions
Several different health conditions show dramatic improvement with Botox treatments. The FDA has approved its use for conditions related to muscle strain. Two that dentists can treat specifically relate to strain in the jaw area.
· Migraines: Grinding teeth is a common problem that has negative results on teeth and jaw muscles. Stress caused by clenching and grinding leads to migraines and discomfort throughout the day. Botox is used to relieve the tension in these areas, which in turn reduces migraines.
· Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): Common symptoms of this condition are a pain in the facial muscles and stiffness in the jaw. Injecting these areas with Botox helps relieve a lot of the discomfort and secondary headaches that often accompany it.
Dentists have special knowledge of the face, giving them an advantage to treating these problems in their office, rather than referring you to a cosmetic surgeon.
Creating a Better Smile
Having a total smile makeover doesn't just apply to the condition of your teeth. Part of the appearance of the smile is the lines on your face. Dentists are face experts and know how to shape every muscle and area to give you a great smile. Many dentists are finding that patients appreciate this level of expertise coming from someone they see regularly to improve their smile already. The convenience of combining trips to one medical professional is a great advantage for those seeking Botox.
Some common misconceptions people have about Botox come from the movies. Characters often can't smile or show any emotion after having injections to add humor to a scene, but this isn't the way it works. Since dentists have this specialized understanding of the face's muscles and skeleton structure, they have a great eye for knowing how eyes, lips, and cheeks move. The injections are placed strategically to relax the muscles and ease the wrinkle lines in the area.
The Way it Works
Muscles have transmitters that cause them to move. Repeated muscle movements can lead to wrinkles over time or problems, if certain conditions are present, like grinding teeth or pain in the TMJ. Botox works by limiting the movement of the area and weakening the pain receptors there. You will still have full feeling in the muscles though, no sensory is lost.
Dental Botox injections don't take long to do and can be done at your appointment during regular office hours for most dentists. The needles are very small and don't require any anesthesia. The injection site might see some slight bruising, but it won't last longer than the first day and will seem unnoticeable to most. Botox injections are not permanent and last for about six months. Since professional dental cleanings are also recommended every six months, you can ask your dentist about doing both at the same time.