Botox® and Dental Improvements

Botox is a drug made from the bacterial toxin botulin that is used medically to treat some muscular conditions and cosmetically to remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles. While the cosmetic use of Botox is widely known, not too many people know that it is also used in dentistry.

Using Botox to make dental improvements

When Botox is injected into a muscle, it attaches to the ends of the nerves that control the muscle. After a few days, the toxin works to block the transmission of the nerve signals that cause muscle contractions. The nerves affected by Botox are connected to motor neurons, but the toxin does not affect the nerves connected to sensory neurons, which are the nerves needed to touch, feel pain and temperature. The nerves are blocked for three to four months before the Botox wears off.

How is Botox used in dentistry?

The use of Botox in dentistry has become more popular in recent years, and research studies are being conducted to investigate its uses. According to the Journal of International Oral Health, Botox has been used to correct lockjaw, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, parafunctional clenching and the headaches that accompany them.

Botox is often used in dental offices as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, but not as a stand-alone procedure. The dentists who use Botox have to have received appropriate education and training prior to administering Botox.

Before a patient undergoes Botox treatment at their dentists, they should make sure that they understand the risks, benefits and costs by asking questions about their treatment plan and the use of Botox to achieve their desired result.

Are there side effects associated with the use of Botox?

Yes, according to the Food and Drug Administration, if Botox is allowed to accidentally spread through the body, the toxin can cause muscle weakness, swallowing difficulties, dangerous breathing, as well as urinary incontinence. However, resistance to Botox is possible over time if the patient has been given high doses of the toxin repeatedly.

When a patient has developed a tolerance for Botox, a different form of the toxin may be needed to achieve the same results.

Can I get Botox treatment at any dentist?

No, Botox is offered by some dentists, but a lot of dentists do not offer treatment that includes the use of Botox. If using Botox to achieve a treatment goal is important to a patient, they can go online to search for a dentist that offers Botox treatment. However, it is important that they make sure that the dentist is qualified to administer the toxin.

Even though the use of Botox in dentistry still requires a lot of research and education for both the patient and dental health professional, there is a belief that it will become more common in the near future.

Conclusion

Botox is known for its uses in cosmetic surgery, but it also has some dental benefits, which is why dentists have started administering it in their practices. If you are interested in learning more about how Botox is used in dentistry, schedule an appointment with a dentist that provides the service to find out more.

Request an appointment here: https://www.smilesbyjulia.com or call Smiles By Julia at (954) 271-8034 for an appointment in our Fort Lauderdale office.

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