Botox For Dental and Facial Concerns

Botox is a brand name for a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Even though there are currently other brands on the market, most patients refer to it as simply “Botox” since it was the first injectable form of botulinum toxin.

Originally used as a medical treatment for muscle spasms, it later became a secret weapon in the world of cosmetic procedures. But its potential goes far beyond cosmetic enhancements, as Botox is now being increasingly utilized in dental treatments to address various oral health concerns. This non-surgical procedure effectively relaxes the facial muscles and can provide relief from certain dental conditions in addition to the commonly known benefits of minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

How Does Botox Work?

As a neurotoxin, Botox works at the neuromuscular junction, where the nerve endings meet the muscle cells. Here, it prevents the nerve from causing muscle contraction, overuse and spasm of the muscle it was injected in. By doing so, it temporarily relaxes the muscle and reduces tension.
Just as Botox cosmetic treatment temporarily relaxes muscles to minimize fine lines and wrinkles, the injections can relax the muscles of the jaw that are responsible for clenching and grinding and help reduce TMJ symptoms. One side benefit of this treatment is slenderizing of the jaw line and softening of the contour of the face, which a lot of patients find attractive.

Why Use Botox to Treat Dental Issues?

Botox provides patients who experience certain dental conditions with the temporary relief and comfort they need. These muscle-relaxant treatments have proven to have therapeutic benefits for TMJ pain and discomfort, chronic migraine and headaches, jaw recontouring, gummy smile correction and many other dental and facial problems.

Why Choose Us for Dental Botox Procedures?

Dr. Tufa is a certified Botox dentist. This means that in addition to the in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy, routine use and daily experience with intraoral injections to administer anesthetics before dental procedures, she also completed special training to learn how to administer Botox treatment properly and safely to support your oral health. Treatment sessions are usually 30 minutes long with no down time for the patient. Follow up injections are recommended every 3-6 months.

Botox Treatments at Our Dental Practice

Given the versatile and minimally invasive nature, Botox treatments have found numerous applications in the field of dentistry to address various muscle-related dental and facial problems. Below are some examples of how we use muscle relaxant injection treatments to improve oral health and enhance patients' smiles.

Botox for TMJ pain and discomfort

Symptoms of TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorders generally include jaw pain and tenderness, clicking or popping sounds when opening and closing the mouth, difficulty chewing or pain while chewing, locked jaw or limited jaw movement etc.

Botox injections into the affected areas can help alleviate these symptoms by relaxing the muscles, which then helps reduce the related pain and discomfort and results in improved jaw mobility.

Masseter Botox Treatment

In addition to worn-down tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity, chipped teeth, bruxism often results in overworked masseter muscle. The masseter muscle is one of the main facial muscles responsible for chewing. Overdevelopment or hypertrophy of this muscle results in jaw pain and sore jaw.

By injecting Botox into the masseter muscle, its activity can be reduced, preventing excessive clenching and grinding and its associated problems. The treatment process typically involves identifying the specific muscles involved and administering injections to provide optimal relief.

After the injection, patients can expect relaxed muscles and reduction in jaw muscle tension which will alleviate the pain caused by overuse and ease other related symptoms such as headaches.

Jawline contouring with Botox

Botox injections strategically administered to relax specific muscles around the jawline can create a slimming effect which many patients find attractive. By softening the appearance of the jaw muscles, the face can appear more harmonious and defined, resulting in an enhanced overall facial profile.

Botox for Gummy Smile Correction

A gummy smile refers to excessive display of gum tissue when smiling, which can detract from the natural beauty of the smile.

Botox injections can be used to reduce the elevation of the upper lip, effectively limiting gum exposure during a smile. By targeting the specific muscles responsible for lifting the lip excessively, patients can achieve a more confident and aesthetically pleasing smile.

Botox for frequent headaches

Botox injections have been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic migraines and tension headaches. The exact mechanism by which Botox works to prevent headaches is not fully understood, but it is thought to relax muscles and block pain signals, providing temporary relief for those who suffer from these conditions.

Botox for fine lines and wrinkles

Botox is widely recognized for its ability to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, such as crow's feet (also known as fine lines) and forehead lines. By temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles responsible for causing these wrinkles, Botox smoothens the skin and provides a more youthful appearance.

Botox For Dental & Facial Pain

Relieve Symptoms of TMJ Disorder, Bruxism & More