When a Dentist Might Recommend Dental Botox

Botox® is no new word to our society today. The name is the registered trademark for botulinum toxin A. It is majorly known and used in the cosmetic surgery industry to eliminate wrinkles and lines on the face. However, it is interesting that this substance derived from botulinum toxin has a long history of therapeutic use in the medical world.

First off, Botox is a protein derived from a bacterium known as clostridium botulinum. In recent times, it has been introduced into dental care and is fast gaining momentum. This is due to its minimally invasive nature and its relaxant properties. It has been employed to treat and correct dental conditions including:

• Bruxism
• Puckered chins
• High lip lines
• Unpleasant smiles
• Ill-fitting dentures
• Shrunken jaw muscles
• Facial swelling
• Lop-sided smiles
• Temporomandibular joint disorder, amongst others. 

Reasons a dentist will recommend dental Botox

Usually, it is recommended to provide planned and controlled paralysis. The following are conditions where a dentist will advise this form of treatment:

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition or habit where a person consistently grinds or clench their teeth. This could be a habit or an impulsive behavior when one sleeps or is stressed. This form of dental treatment helps treat bruxism by reducing the force of contractions in the jaw muscles.

While mouth guards can be used to prevent teeth grinding, these injunctions can be used as an adjunct therapy.

Lip issues

This form of treatment can be recommended when a person has a high lip line or over-retracted upper lips and cannot achieve an aesthetic smile. Usually, these dental conditions make the person have upside-down smiles (more like a frown) and gummy smiles. A gummy smile happens when you smile, and a large portion of your gum above your teeth can be seen. Many people are often not happy with that.

Hence, botulinum toxin A injections are given to help relax the lip muscles. In the end, the patient can receive immediate treatment and achieve a beautiful smile.

Adjusting to new dentures

When patients have lips that will affect the fixing and positioning of dentures, injections can be given. These help to relax the muscles to receive the dentures and grow around them, hence providing support and stability.

In other cases where the dentures are new, they might be challenging to get used to. Botulinum toxin A injections may be given to relax the muscles and give your mouth time to get sued to your dentures.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ Disorder)

Patients suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder can be asked to receive this form of treatment. This disorder is characterized by hyperactivity and tension in the muscles, which result in severe headaches and neck pain. Hence, these injections, when given, help to relax the muscles and relieve pain and discomfort.

While this recent introduction to dental care might be a pleasant one, a professional must provide dental treatments and services to you. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.mytotaldentistry.com or call McCarthy Dentistry at (740) 546-5178 for an appointment in our Marietta office.

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