25 May The Benefits of Receiving Botox Treatments at the Dentist
At Medical Arts Dental, we offer our patients something that may be a little unexpected—Botox treatments!
We use Botox in a variety of ways to fight signs of aging and to relax muscles in the face to prevent wrinkles, as well as for treating TMJ issues and migraines.
Aesthetic Reasons for Botox
As dentists, we have the pleasure of improving our patients’ oral health as well as the outward appearance of their smile. Now, in addition to teeth whitening, veneers, and other treatments that improve the appearance of the teeth, we also offer Botox as part of our cosmetic services.
These small injections around the mouth and other parts of the face relax the tiny facial muscles for several weeks to months at a time, which also allows the muscles to rest and helps any current wrinkles repair over time. As a London dentist said about adding Botox to their practice, “I can give you the teeth of a 35-year-old, but unless you have work to remove the wrinkles around your mouth, you will still have the face of a 50-year-old.”
Botox and TMD
TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder) is caused by problems in the facial muscles, jaw, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the skull. Signs of TMJ issues are pain in or around the jaw, clicking, stiffness, or soreness. But luckily, dentists have found success using Botox to alleviate TMD pain, because it inactivates the nerve endings that cause involuntary contractions in the jaw, such as when a patient is sleeping or stressed.
Botox and Migraines
About 12% of Americans suffer from migraines, and the FDA has approved Botox as a treatment for those with serious, frequent migraine attacks. With relief lasting about 12 weeks, Botox administered around the head and neck can dull headache symptoms among those who have migraines very often (15 days/month).
Administration in the Right Environment
Getting Botox injections is ultimately a procedure that you probably want a doctor to perform. After all, your dentist is a maxillo-facial expert working in a sterile, professional environment—something you may not find in certain “spa” situations.
Whether you’re looking for relief from jaw pain or migraines, or you’re interested in matching your pearly whites to a smoother-looking smile, we can help. Contact us to learn more about Botox treatments or to set up an appointment.