Botox in Dentistry at Smiles of Mathews
Hello everybody. My name is Dr. Marks. I'm from Smiles of Mathews in Hudgins, Virginia. Today, I'm going to be answering some questions about Botox and its use in dentistry.
Can all dentists provide Botox treatments, and is it safe to receive Botox from a dentist professional?
Botox is regulated by each state, so each state is different as far as who can and can't do it. Recently, Botox was approved to be done by dentists for aesthetic reasons. In Virginia, before that, you could do it for therapeutic reasons.
What types of dental or facial concerns can Botox help address?
I mainly use Botox for aesthetics, but mainly therapeutically for either headaches or TMJ clicking in the joint, tired jaw, and things of that nature.
How does Botox for TMJ disorders work, and what kind of relief can patients expect?
Botox works as a muscle relaxant, very localized. It is a toxin but at a very low dosage, making it one of the safest drugs in existence. I wouldn't recommend someone who hasn't been trained because it can cause reversible harm. The biggest risk you run is having some type of paralysis. Again, it is temporary and usually lasts about three months, but it's very safe.
What role does Botox play in cosmetic dentistry, and how can it complement dental procedures?
In cosmetic dentistry, we can use Botox to help with high smile lines. If you show a lot of gums and don't like that, we can use it to weaken the muscles that bring the lip up really far. Around that, we can reduce any wrinkles that are around the mouth, crows feet, and other aesthetic concerns.
Are dentists required to have special training or certification to administer Botox?
Yes.
What is the difference between getting Botox at a dental practice versus at a medical spa or dermatologist's office?
I do not know the exact qualifications that a med spa may have, but I do know there are side effects. Dentists are heavily trained in head and neck anatomy. We know exactly where all the muscles are and what to do and what not to do. We're going to have a better area of being sterile in our administration because we are regulated so highly.
Med spas don't have as much regulation; actually, they don't have much if any regulation, which is why they're so popular.
How long do results from Botox treatments typically last?
Botox does reverse because your body metabolizes it, and it generally lasts about three months.
What should patients expect during a Botox appointment at the dentist?
During a Botox appointment at the dentist, whether for aesthetic or therapeutic reasons, it's pretty much the same. We target different muscles depending on the purpose. Usually, we'll do some mapping of the face, marking directly on the face to keep track of where everything is. These marks are removed once we finish.
You shouldn't have any makeup or hair products, no active infections or rashes on the skin. Afterwards, you're not able to wash your face or touch it because if you move the Botox around, it could affect muscles we're not trying to target.
How can Botox be used in dentistry alongside other treatments like orthodontics or bite adjustments?
Therapeutically, I use Botox to reduce the amount of force you can create while biting. If you're a heavy grinder, what we call bruxism, or if you need a night guard, that is used in conjunction with Botox to help reduce stress on all the muscles, thereby reducing stress on your skeleton, joints, and ligaments. By reducing that force, everything is better.
What should patients look for when choosing a dentist who offers Botox?
That's a great question. If a dentist is offering it, you know they've been trained. More than likely, unless they're doing it without training, which you should confirm. It's wise to ask where they were trained and how long they've been doing it. It's pretty safe, but if done in the wrong spot, it can cause temporary drooping of the face. That's the main risk.
Hello, I'm Dr. Marks with Smiles of Mathews and the Smile Group. Today I want to talk to you about Botox, a treatment I offer for a few different conditions.
What are common uses for Botox?
The first thing you might think of is wrinkles. The second would be TMJ or headaches, things like that, which I call therapeutic uses. It's for the therapy of pain or discomfort, things like that.
How does Botox work?
Botox works by causing the muscles responsible for wrinkles or pain to relax. When muscles contract and stay contracted for long periods, it causes pain, among other issues. What Botox does is make those things relax and go back to where they should be.
What types of Botox do you use?
I use two different types of Botox. One is the actual name brand, and the other is Xeomin. There are a couple of others, but those are the two I mainly use. I primarily use Xeomin because it has a better shelf life, provides great results, and is a bit cheaper for you. Name-brand Botox is considerably more expensive than Xeomin, but both offer great results.
How can Botox help with TMJ and headaches?
If you have TMJ with clicking, popping, or pain in your jaw, or if you experience pain in the side of your head or joints, Botox is a great way to start treating those issues. If you have headaches at the base of your neck, in your forehead, or elsewhere, it can also be an effective treatment for those.
How does Botox help with wrinkles?
When it comes to wrinkles, Botox targets much smaller muscles that control our facial expressions. It relaxes these muscles, causing the wrinkles to disappear.
How long does Botox last and is it safe?
It's important to note that Botox, whether Xeomin or the Botox brand, only lasts about 3 or 4 months. Everyone is a little different. This is just part of the nature of the medication. It's super safe and has been well-done for at least a decade now. It's a good modality for many things.