Botox
Botox is not just for celebrities anymore; you do not need to go to a plastic surgery center to perform the procedure. Keep Smiling is pleased to offer Botox in Indian Ripple, OH, for anyone who wants to decrease the appearance of wrinkles on their face or obtain relief from oral health disorders like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and bruxism. Getting Botox from your local dentist is a quick and simple procedure that will have you looking and feeling your best in no time.
The History of Botox Treatments
The term Botox comes from botulinum toxin, which is the non-purified form of this normally toxic substance. Medical researchers purified botulinum toxin years ago, and doctors have used it to treat conditions like spasticity, excessive sweating, and incontinence ever since. The Food and Drug Administration approved Botox for cosmetic use in April 2002. Each of the dentists at our practice has undergone extensive training to enable them to administer Botox in a dental office setting.
How Botox Works
Botox works by temporarily freezing facial muscles that cause wrinkles and contribute to oral pain. When used to treat TMJ or bruxism, Botox decreases the intensity of muscle contractions that lead to discomfort. Botox smoothens wrinkles and fine lines for cosmetic applications to give you a more youthful appearance.
You have no downtime after a Botox procedure; results typically last three to four months. Several individual factors determine how long the results of a Botox treatment last, including:
- Dosage amount
- Injection site
- Your metabolism rate
You can repeat the Botox procedure as often as you would like once the initial benefits have worn off. If you want to explore Botox as a cosmetic or dental treatment, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Joseph Palm. Your dentist will discuss your long-term goals with Botox and learn more about your health history. Having this information is vital to ensure that you receive appropriate recommendations.
How Our Dentists Administer Botox to Patients
After you get comfortable in the dental chair, the dentist working with you injects a tiny needle into the area of your face where you need treatment. For example, your dentist will make an injection near each eyebrow if you want to reduce wrinkles or in your jaw if you struggle with TMJ pain. Your dentist will inject multiple Botox needles if you require treatment in more than one area. The procedure takes just a few minutes.
Benefits and Specific Applications of Botox
Fine lines and wrinkles can make you look older than your current age. While you cannot do anything about developing these effects of aging, regular Botox treatments reduce their impact on your appearance. Most people have wrinkles around their eyes, mouth, and jawline. After your Botox treatment, you should notice that the skin on your face feels smoother and looks considerably younger.
Other cosmetic treatments
Does your gum tissue cover your teeth, making them appear smaller than they are? This common issue is known as a gummy smile. Botox can be a helpful treatment if you desire to show more of your teeth and less of your gums.
Receiving a Botox injection relaxes your lip muscles and lowers your smile line. You may be able to have a Botox treatment in place of gingival or crown lengthening surgery. Remember that Botox treatments are temporary, while the other procedures are permanent.
Oral health applications
Bruxism, which refers to the unconscious grinding of the teeth, is a habit that some people pick up when stressed. Although they may recognize they are grinding their teeth during the day and stop doing it, most bruxism cases happen while people sleep. Bruxism may also develop due to misaligned teeth, an abnormal bite, or generalized anxiety. Typical symptoms of bruxism include:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Tooth sensitivity
- Worn teeth
People often confuse bruxism and TMJ, but they are not the same condition. People who have bruxism do not necessarily develop TMJ, and those with TMJ do not necessarily have bruxism first.
To understand TMJ, it is important to know how the jaw functions within the skull. Every person has a temporomandibular joint on their face’s right and left sides. These joints connect your mandible, which is another term for jaw, to your skull. TMJ is the name of a group of disorders that affect the functioning of your jaw joints and the muscles surrounding them. Below are a few of the most common symptoms of TMJ.
- Discomfort when opening and closing your mouth
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Pain and tenderness in the jaw
- Popping or clicking sounds in your jaw
Botox treatments relax the muscles in the jaw, allowing you to live without the discomfort of bruxism or TMJ for several months. Your dentist may also recommend other solutions, such as regular use of a non-prescription pain reliever, applying an ice pack to your face, and reducing the stress in your life as much as possible.
ARE YOU READY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DENTAL BOTOX TREATMENTS?
Receiving a Botox treatment from Dr. Palm can make a significant difference to your appearance and/or facial comfort. However, not just any dentist can do this service. They must have completed training and received certification from the state of Ohio before they can offer Botox to patients.
Besides completing an undergraduate degree and dental school, dentists who want to administer Botox must also enroll in advanced facial aesthetic studies. The certification program teaches dentists about the anatomy of the face, rejuvenation procedures, where to inject Botox, and how to do it safely.
We invite you to contact us to learn more about Botox in Lakeview, OH, or to request an appointment for the procedure.
