Do BOTOX® and Fillers Have a Place in Dentistry?
September 28, 2021 | BOTOX® | The Office of Palisades Dentists
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BOTOX® Cosmetic and dermal filler injections are extremely common for addressing cosmetic concerns like wrinkles. However, they also have several uses in dentistry.
What Are BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers?
BOTOX® is a cosmetic form of botulinum toxin. Essentially, experts harvest and purify the toxin in a lab, making it safe for use in humans. BOTOX® blocks the nerve signals to certain muscles, preventing the muscle from contracting.
Dermal fillers restore volume and fullness to areas that have lost subcutaneous fat or other substances. Dermal fillers can vary greatly in chemical makeup, longevity, and softness.
How BOTOX® Treats Bruxism
Many people grind, gnash, and clench their teeth, which can cause issues like tension headaches, jaw pain, and tooth damage. This condition is known medically as bruxism and is one of the conditions treatable with BOTOX®.
Notably, people with bruxism who don’t respond to other treatments often find that BOTOX® helps their condition. The treatment results typically last for three to four months.
How BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers Treat TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. If the joint erodes, slips out of place, or becomes damaged, there can be severe pain, difficulty chewing, or jaw locking. BOTOX® injections relax the muscles around the jaw, significantly reducing symptoms.
Dermal fillers can introduce much-needed lubrication and cushion to the areas around the TMJ. This helps the joint perform its natural motions and alleviates symptoms.
Both treatments can reduce or entirely eliminate a patient’s reliance on pain medications or uncomfortable mouth guards.
How BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers Treat Gummy Smiles
The term “gummy smile” perfectly describes the condition. When some people smile, more of their gums show than they like.
Gummy smiles may result from certain medications, unique lip shapes, or aging. Surgery is often the go-to for many causes of gummy smiles, but some people respond well to dermal fillers and BOTOX®.
Both BOTOX® and dermal fillers restrict the movement of the muscle fibers in the lips, preventing them from revealing more of your gums.
A dermal filler treatment can last for up to eight months, while BOTOX® injections usually last for three to four months.
It’s Time to Learn More
To find out more about how BOTOX® and dental fillers can improve your dental health, contact us today at 310-459-2303. You can also fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation.