Botox is a ubiquitous term today. But are you familiar with botox in dentistry?Botox is commonly used to address cosmetic issues on the face. However, the presence of botulinum toxin gives botox the potential for a wide array of therapeutic uses.
Botox has increasingly found its place within the field of dentistry, offering therapeutic benefits beyond its well-known cosmetic applications. Read the blog to the end to learn how Botox and dentistry are ruling the dental world today.
How Does Botox in Dentistry Work?
Initially, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Botox for strabismus. But today, it is famous for its cosmetic and multiple therapeutic applications.
Botox works via the botulinum toxin. This toxin causes muscle paralysis by inhibiting the release of a compound called acetylcholine at the NM junction. This disrupts muscle activity and has therapeutic value.
Botulinum toxin is used in the form of a purified exotoxin. This exotoxin is produced by the Clostridium botulinum microbe, which itself is an anaerobic microbe. There are two types of exotoxins – Type A and B. It is available in several commercial forms, like Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, etc.
A Botox may work differently on older individuals than it does on younger ones. It is recommend only for people above 18 years of age.
Botox in Dentistry and Its Uses
Studies have shown Botox’s broad applicability in treating dental and oral issues such as trismus, temporomandibular disorders, and parafunctional clenching. Your dentist may ask you to undergo a botox for one of the several underlying reasons:
Gummy Smiles
Do you often notice excessive gum tissue exposure while smiling? You may be prone to gummy smiles. In this condition, your gums become more visible than your teeth when you smile.
Your lip muscles, if in a hyperactive state, might result in gummy smiles. Your dentist will use Botox treatment to paralyze those hyperactive lip muscles. With this, you will regain your natural-looking smile. This is how advantageous botox in dentistry can be!
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
The prime function of the temporomandibular joints is attaching the lower jaw to the base of the skull. This helps with daily activities like eating and talking.
The disorder with this muscle arises when the hyperactive muscles around your jaw exert tremendous pressure and stress over them. The most commonly affected muscles in temporomandibular disorder are the temporalis muscle, masseter muscle, and lateral pterygoid muscles. Injection of Botox into these muscles paralyzes them and helps relieve TMD.
Chronic Facial Pain
Botox can provide significant relief from muscle-specific oro-facial pain due to its ability to chemically denervate muscles, thus reducing hyperactivity and associated pain.
Studies have shown that Botox has helped in pain relief after dental surgery. It can be safely administered every 12 weeks as an alternative to daily analgesic drug therapy. Botox treatment has also shown promising results for drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia.
Issues with Your Lips
Botox in dentistry has been widely applauded for rectifying several lip issues. Those with high lip lines or over-retracted upper lips tend to lose the features of their smile.
Botox is the safest and most trusted process to redo your lip’s structure so that you smile brightly. In this procedure, your dentist will administer botulinum toxin A injection to relax the muscles in your lips and surrounding zone.
Adjusting Your New Dentures
Your lips might have trouble fixing and positioning over your new dentures. This is when the magic of botox and dentistry can work wonders for you.
Botox injections relax your muscles when you receive these dentures. This gives the extra support and stability for your new dentures to fit precisely.
Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is an involuntary action of your teeth, and it causes teeth wear and jaw pain. The most prominent reason is a trigger set by hyperactive muscles. Using the Botox technique, your dentist will soothe those hyperactivated muscles to alleviate the risks associated with teeth grinding.
Botox can decrease the force of biting by 20% to 30% in the muscles that help with chewing. The treatment of Botox is believed to have been associated with more effective clinical results than those seen with occlusal splints, drugs, or cognitive-behavioral therapies.
What is the Process for Botox in Dentistry?
The process of administering Botox takes about 10 minutes of your visit to your dental clinic. Here is a quick view of how it is perform:
- Your dentist will first apply a local topical anesthetic on your affected area to numb it.
- The Botox procedure involves the use of tiny needles so that you hardly feel any pricking.
- With these needles, your dentist will directly inject the botox into the target area for treatment.
- As a final step, your dentist may gently rub the area to avoid overbruising.
- Your dentist may call you for a follow-up appointment after 3 months. This is when the effect of Botox begins to wear off.
You might feel discomfort initially after the anesthesia’s effect wears off. However, do not worry; it will subside in a few hours. Make sure that you do not keep rubbing or touching the injected area.
What Makes You Eligible for Dental Botox?
Botox in dentistry is a potential solution for most dental issues. You can be a good candidate for Botox if:
You are Healthy
This procedure is not recommend for those who have nerve issues, nerve disorders, or chronic conditions such as muscular sclerosis (MS).
You are Allergy-Free
If you are susceptible to allergies, dental botox may trigger adverse reactions. You should also avoid undergoing botox if susceptible to skin infections in the area surrounding your mouth.
You are Fine with a Temporary Solution
Dental Botox is not a permanent solution. Its effect can wear off over time. If you are looking for a permanent solution, check with your dentist first before proceeding with Botox.
Is There Any Aftercare for Botox?
Yes, there is. Here are some quick pointers for aftercare:
- You should relax and limit your physical activity for a few days. This helps in the quick healing of the injected part
- Avoid eating ice or cold compressed foods. These might interfere with the results of your Botox treatment.
- Your dentist might ask you to massage your injected area gently so that the Botox spreads evenly throughout your jaw muscles.
Conclusion
Botox in dentistry has a long way to go. Before you take your final call, talk to your dentist; know whether you are eligible, what the after-effects are, and the post-treatment routine to follow. Remember, although Botox and dentistry are promising solutions to major dental problems, they are not recommended for every individual.
Our dentists at RiverRock Dental can handle all your dentistry and Botox needs. If you are interested in Botox treatment options, contact us today or book a consultation.
Our address: 403 1st Ave East Shakopee, MN 55379
Phone: (952) 445-5556
