Cosmetic fillers, such as BOTOX®, are a well-known solution for temporarily combatting the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, among other visible signs of aging. Yet, in the field of dentistry, dental BOTOX® is an excellent treatment option for addressing certain orofacial conditions and oral issues. Our dentist in Lake City, FL, utilizes BOTOX® treatments to enhance the appearance of the skin while likewise treating several oral conditions, such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD) and oral pain.
Lake City Dental offers BOTOX® for dental pain and oral conditions either as an added treatment to your dental plan or as a standalone procedure. If you have any questions about BOTOX® injections or how BOTOX® can benefit your oral well-being, call our office to schedule an appointment for dental treatment. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and will provide you with all of the required information regarding dental treatments with BOTOX® injections.
What Is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is a drug that uses a toxin and purified protein called onabotulinumtoxinA to temporarily prevent a muscle from moving. BOTOX® injections should only be performed by skilled medical professionals, such as our Florida DMD, in order to ensure high-quality results and top patient safety.
When our dentists use BOTOX® for dental treatments, they inject the contents of the syringe into specific facial muscles of a patient. When the formula is injected, the purified protein attaches itself to nerve endings, which inhibits the nerves from transmitting communication signals to surrounding facial tissues and prevents problematic muscles from contracting.
Can Dentists Perform BOTOX® Services?
Commonly used by aesthetic professionals and plastic surgeons alike, BOTOX® is likewise used by dental professionals. Through their extensive medical training, dentists spend several years studying maxillofacial and oral anatomies, which provides them with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of facial anatomy and product pharmacology.
With our dentists’ expertise in the facial physiology of the face, mouth, and jaw, our Lake City dentists are equipped with the necessary expertise for administering BOTOX® injections. Contact us for additional information about BOTOX® treatments and our array of cosmetic, therapeutic, and restorative dentistry services.
How Is BOTOX® Used In Dentistry?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription medicine injected into the muscles and used to temporarily improve the appearance of moderate-to-severe forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines in adults. In addition to the product’s use within the field of aesthetics, BOTOX® in dentistry is used to provide patients with relief from a wide range of oral-related issues like facial pain and jaw pain. BOTOX® has the unique ability to relax the facial muscles. When it is injected into muscles affected by certain oral conditions and issues, this treatment can relieve pain and friction in these areas while likewise improving function and restoring comfort.
BOTOX® For Bruxism
The reason dentists administer injections of BOTOX® varies from patient to patient. A common use of BOTOX® for dentists is dental BOTOX® for treating teeth grinding and jaw clenching or bruxism. Oftentimes, patients report to us that they suffer from jaw tightness and pain. A common reason for this pain is persistent grinding and clenching of their teeth and jaws at night and while they sleep.
Patients may or may not realize they clench or grind their teeth and jaws. Bruxism is characterized by persist chewing motions in the jaw muscles without the presence of food in the mouth. This condition can cause a significant amount of pain, but it can also result in serious oral damage and health problems. BOTOX® treatments can freeze and relax the muscles in the jaw and tissues around the mouth, preventing them from clenching and grinding.
BOTOX® TMJ Treatments
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is located on either side of the face and in front of the ears, and it connects the lower jawbone to the skull and assists in a variety of jaw movements like speaking, chewing, and yawning. When the TMJs sustain injuries, they can develop a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. TMD can be temporary or long-lasting, and the resulting pain can be mild or severe in nature. Since BOTOX® is a muscle relaxant, it can reduce contractions in the muscles that contribute to TMJ and TMD. Additionally, BOTOX® injections can likewise reduce the occurrence and severity of migraines that occur as a result of TMJ disorders and TMD.