Botox As A Dental Service? How It Can Help Other Dentistry Concerns
Posted on: 29 November 2018
When people think of Botox treatments, they may not immediately think of getting them done at a dental office. However, Dental Economics says that many dentists are offering these elective treatments to grow their businesses. Because dentists are knowledgeable when it comes to facial anatomy and administering anesthetic, they are great professionals to go to for these treatments.
Also, a Botox treatment may actually help other dentistry concerns you may have.
It Can Enhance Results After Denture or Implant Placement
When a patient is edentulous (missing teeth) for a long time, he or she will undergo a change in appearance. Teeth are required to maintain good bone density, so without them, a person can develop shrinking jawlines and collapsed cheeks. As the cheek's skin collapses, a person may also develop premature wrinkles. The NCBI says that when a denture patient is treated with Botox, he or she can restore these aesthetic issues by restoring muscle tone.
It Can Help Ease Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
If you grind your teeth (known as bruxism), you can develop temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD). TMD causes stress to the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. TMD can cause neck pain, jaw pain, and headaches. You may also experience more cavities because heavy bruxism can wear away enamel.
While some people grind their teeth from stress, some people can actually develop TMD after getting fitted with new prostheses, like partial dentures. Sometimes these symptoms are caused by poor-fitting prostheses that need alterations, but sometimes they are just caused by the adjustment period. Whatever the cause, Botox can help TMD. Botox injections can actually reduce the intensity of muscle contractions of the masseter muscles by interrupting pain neurotransmitters. Your dentist may recommend using Botox along with a night-guard to retrain your muscles to relax.
It Can Save Money if You Need to Fix a "Gummy Smile"
An excessive display of gingiva can bug some patients who want their pearly whites to show more. A "gummy smile" can be caused by all sorts of issues, such as a short upper lip, malocclusions, etc. In order to fix this problem, you may need to have
- Maxillofacial surgery
- Orthodontic treatment
- Gingival Contouring/Crown Lengthening
If you have other functional issues that need fixing, then these treatments may be just what you need. However, if your concern is mainly cosmetic, then these treatments may be too expensive or invasive for your needs. Botox treatments can be more affordable and easily done in one sitting. Your dentist can inject the Botox so that the upper lip doesn't retract as much. When you smile, less gum tissue will show, and you'll see more of your enamel.
As you can see, there are many secondary dental benefits to this treatment. For more information on Botox or other dental services, contact a dentist in your area today.
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