Don’t be surprised if your dentist asks you if you’ve ever thought about doing something about those frown lines or crow’s feet the next time you go in for a cleaning.
More dentists are branching out into facial esthetics as the medical aesthetics market expands!
According to the American Dental Association, at least 20 state dental boards have authorized Botox for use in specific dental procedures or for cosmetic purposes.
Dentists may prescribe Botox for medical conditions like TMJ issues or for cosmetic reasons like getting rid of frown lines or crow’s feet on the face.
Botox in Dentistry
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, Botox is the most widely used procedure for wrinkle reduction, with 7.2 million procedures carried out in 2017. Botox injections can treat aesthetic issues, such as persistent fine lines and forehead wrinkles.
Botulinum toxin type A is used in dentistry, believe it or not! Botox can treat several orofacial problems, including:
Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). Muscle spasms in the jaw that cause headaches and face pain are relaxed by Botox.
Bruxism. Botox for bruxism relaxes the muscles which leads to clenching and grinding of the teeth, which can cause pain and damage to the teeth.
Orthognathic treatment. Strong facial muscles in clients can interfere with the teeth’s new alignment, therefore Botox injections can relax such muscles to stop relapse after braces.
Dentures. Botox can help patients who are having trouble getting used to new dentures by allowing their muscles to relax and allowing their new prosthetics to settle into their mouths.
Fix a goofy smile. Botox Cosmetic works without operations like crown lengthening and gingival surgery to minimize a “gummy grin” or high lip line.
Dystonia of the mouth. OMD is an uncontrollable spasm of the muscles in the lower face and around the mouth. Because the injection can target the exact muscles producing the dystonia, Botox is the best treatment option for this medical issue.
Because they are familiar with the structure, nerves, and muscles of the face, dentists are excellent Botox injectors. As they administer a local anesthetic before a cavity filling or a root canal, they have experience with injections as well.
Botox should only be used in dentistry when it is a necessary component of an all-encompassing treatment strategy. Before injecting Botox, the dental professional must complete education and training requirements. It is important to check with the state licensing board for the rules and laws that apply in a particular state because there are different Botox for dentists regulations across the nation.
Dermal Fillers: A Supplemental Add-On Procedure
Another treatment that dentists provide to their patients is dermal fillers. Injections classified as facial fillers include procedures like Restylane®, Perlane®, and Juvéderm®.
Hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule that can hold many times its volume in water, is injected into facial wrinkles during these operations. Similar to how a sponge expands when it is wet, it causes the skin to enlarge.
A dermal filler procedure produces smoother skin and results that endure for four to twelve months.
