Most of us know that Botox is used in cosmetic surgery. However, do you know that it has many applications in dentistry as well? At A Smiling Heart Dentistry, Dr. Tigran and Dr. Furca use Botox to treat several conditions of the jaw, teeth, and gums.
What Is Botox?
Botox is a refined, active neurotoxin derived from the Clostridium botulinum that can cause foodborne illnesses. However, you do not need to be worried about getting poisoned from it since Botox is purified and made safe for dental treatments.
With the use of Botox injections, we can control the targeted muscles in your mouth and jaw. The effect of Botox remains for three or four months, after which you will need to get treatment again.
Benefits Of Botox In Dentistry
Botox offers many benefits in dentistry. These include the treatment of the following issues:
- TMJ Disorders: depending on the type of temporomandibular joint disorder you suffer from, we may use Botox injections to alleviate muscular jaw pain by relaxing the muscles in the jaw.
- Bruxism: Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by involuntary teeth grinding while sleeping. Botox can be used to prevent facial muscles from tensing and reduce the pressure of the jaw clenching. This can provide relief and prevent teeth damage.
- High Lip Lines: Botox can also be used to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile. People who have high lip lines may be recommended the use of Botox to hide the excessive appearance of their gums in a non-invasive manner. Alternative treatments like crown lengthening and gingival surgery are slightly more aggressive.
- Denture Problems: People who have lost their teeth suffer from deterioration of the jawbone, which can decrease the height of the alveolar ridge that holds the teeth. As a result, it may be difficult for these people to wear dentures. Botox can help relax the muscles around the denture and make it easier to wear these necessary prosthetics.
Improper and high doses of Botox can lead to symptoms like urinary issues, muscular weakness, and difficulty in swallowing and breathing. However, at A Smiling Heart Dentistry the chances of these complications is very low. Before undergoing Botox treatment, we make sure all our patients get the details about these procedures to make an informed decision.
If you suffer from the above issues, call to schedule an appointment with us at (425) 532-3200 and we will determine whether you are a good candidate for Botox treatment.