Botox® is most widely known as a cosmetic treatment that is commonly used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Many people do not know that Botox® can also be used for dental benefits. Dentists use it partly for cosmetic benefits but also to relieve some dental conditions ranging from mild to severe cases, such as TMJ dysfunction or lockjaw. Botox® treatments are able to relax the jaw and reduce damage from tooth-grinding. Besides preventing further damage, it lessens the pressure on toothaches and abscesses.
The Latin name for the toxin is called Botulinum Toxin, but it is commonly known by the commercial and trade name Botox®. The toxin became wildly popular for its cosmetic benefits. Administered by accredited medical staff, it is a medicine with no reported long-term side effects. It is used in minute quantities to effect specific medical and cosmetic aims. Alongside the general cosmetic benefits, it can also relieve some forms of dental conditions and pain or discomfort.
Botox® attaches to and affects the nerve endings. By inhibiting nerve signals near the surface of the skin, it acts as a muscle relaxant. Used in the brow and upper parts of the face, it prevents habitual frowning and the formation of wrinkles. In the lower face, it relieves tension in the jaw.
Botox® injections can be used to treat Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), a condition where the patient’s jaw muscles spasm and cause pain in the face. Acting on the jaw muscles, Botox® also relieves habitual bite pressure on the teeth. It can be an effective treatment for tooth-grinding and prevent further damage. Alleviating pressure from the jaw also lessens the pain of toothaches and abscesses. The human jaw exerts enough pressure to damage or even crack teeth over time.
As humans, we work our jaws more than any other muscle group. This includes both chewing and speech. Many people will habitually grind their teeth when not doing either action, causing long-term oral damage. Thus, the muscles of the human jaw are incredibly strong.
Botox® treatments in the jaw lessen the habitual tension of the muscles. Relaxing the jaw muscles takes the pressure off the teeth, reducing further damage from grinding. Tension held in the jaw also shows in a person’s facial expression. They may frequently appear angry or unhappy. As with Botox® treatments in the brow, its use in the jaw lessens a habitual frown.
Aside from relaxing the patient’s jaw, Botox® treatments can also be used to plump lips with its paralyzing effect on skin tissue due to its ability to relax muscles making the patient’s lips look plump. It can also block nerve impulses from reaching certain areas such as eyelids and hands so that they cannot move at all when under contracture treatment with the injections into these muscles, which cause wrinkles around the patient’s eye and mouth lines that lead people to look older than their actual age structure.
Botox® is a temporary treatment. It wears off with no long-lasting effects. While the treatment lasts, there may be a loss of sensation near the affected area. This is part of the pain relief and is not considered a detrimental side effect. Botox® has been used for a long time for both cosmetic and dental treatments.
Applied by a medical professional, Botox® has no notable ill effects. It is, even so, a medical procedure. Although be sure to consult only accredited medical persons regarding Botox® treatments. A dental professional is able to offer proper medical advice on such procedures. Botox® is not a treatment that anyone can administer to themselves or without medical supervision.
While Botox® can be used for cosmetic reasons, it is not a stand-alone treatment. Botox® is often used in conjunction with other dental treatments to ensure effective results, as Botox® is considered a temporary solution. Adding Botox® to your smile will not only help alleviate discomfort and pain-related symptoms, but it will also help you stop certain behaviors that will negatively impact your oral health, including tooth-grinding and general tooth pain down the line. Cosmetically, it relaxes the person’s facial expression and reduces signs of aging without significant side effects.
If you are curious as to whether Botox can help your condition, contact us. Fort Lee Family Dental offers Botox as part of our treatment plans for patients who qualify. To learn more about our services and processes, visit https://fortleefamilydental.com, or call our Fort Lee office at (201) 620-9772 to schedule an appointment today.
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