By 
When you
think about Botox chances are good you think about a Gen-Xer having it done to
maintain their youthful appearance. You wouldn’t be wrong – Botox is by far the
most popular cosmetic procedure out there with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reporting over 7.4 million
injections given in 2018.
And now dentists are getting in on the action. Have you heard about this trend of Botox in dentistry? It just might be the next big thing!
What
is Botox?
According to the U.S.
National Library of Medicine, Botox is a drug made from a
toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. While it’s the same
toxin that causes a life-threatening type of food poisoning called botulism, its
use as an injectable paralytic has been FDA approved for cosmetic procedures
and more. In fact, it’s now commonly used in small doses to treat a variety of health
problems including excessive sweating, excessive blinking, overactive bladder
and even migraines.
Botox
works by blocking nerve signals that control muscle movement, which makes them
unable to contract, temporarily softening the skin around the area that was
injected. It typically takes a few hours for results to be seen and they
usually last about three months.
Botox
in Dentistry
For most
people who hear the word “Botox”, they think of wrinkle reducing injections
used in cosmetic procedures. While it is true Botox was approved by the FDA for
such, it is now expanding in its application due to the nerve blocking benefits
it offers. In fact, a trip to your dental office could include your dentist
offering Botox.
While some
dentists do use Botox for cosmetic procedures, there are many other uses for Botox
in dentistry.
- Treatment of Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Treatment of bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Reducing a “gummy smile” without surgical intervention
- Adjustment of lips before or after denture placement or oral surgeries.
Should
a Dentist Do Botox?
Botox as a purely cosmetic procedure will likely never be part of a dentist’s repertoire – as their first and primary goal is oral health care. But, because dentists have extensive training on oral and facial anatomy, health and function, some say there is no one better qualified to administer Botox than a dentist.
In fact,
some proponents of the use of Botox in dentistry claim dentists are the most
qualified, and offer a better experience because they administer oral and
facial injections on a regular basis. This makes the injections quick and less
painful, because they are done with a skilled hand.
While the
use of Botox in dentistry is controversial to some, it seems there may be a
place for Botox in dentistry, to help both medically and cosmetically. According
to the American Academy of Facial
Aesthetics about 10%
of dentists are currently trained to administer Botox with more seeking
training every day. The American Dental Association even offers Botox training
for its members!
Is Botox
in dentistry the next big thing? We don’t have a crystal ball, but it’s a trend
we envision increasing especially as demand grows and more and more state
dental boards support the practice.
At PERFECT TEETH, we care about trends in dentistry because they can have an impact on our patients’ oral health, which is our primary concern. If you’d like to talk further with a dentist about your goals with the health of your mouth and teeth, or even the use of Botox in dentistry, find a Perfect Teeth dentist here.
Reviewed by Denver Oral Surgeon, Dr. Adam Olsen of PERFECT TEETH – Specialty Center.
