The next time you visit your dentist for a cleaning, don’t be surprised if they ask if you have ever considered doing something about those frown lines or crow’s feet!
As the medical aesthetics industry continues to grow, more dentists are taking the plunge into facial esthetics!
The American Dental Association says at least 20 state dental boards have approved Botox for cosmetic uses or a specific dental operation.
Dentists may offer Botox for therapeutic uses such as TMJ disorders or facial cosmetic purposes such as getting rid of frown lines or crow’s feet.
Botox in Dentistry
Botox is the most popular wrinkle reduction treatment with 7.2 million procedures performed in 2017, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS). Botox injections can address cosmetic concerns, including stubborn fine lines and wrinkles in the forehead.
Believe it or not, botulinum toxin type A has a place in dentistry! There are several orofacial conditions Botox can address:
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ). Botox relaxes muscle contractions in the jaw that lead to headaches and facial pain.
- Bruxism. Botox for bruxism relaxes muscles that cause teeth grinding and clenching, which can lead to pain and destruction of teeth.
- Orthodontic therapy. Clients who have strong facial muscles can disrupt the new alignment of teeth, so Botox injections can calm those muscles to prevent relapse after braces.
- Dentures. If patients have difficulty adjusting to new dentures, Botox can provide the muscle relaxation necessary to let their new prosthodontics settle into their mouths.
- Correct a gummy smile. Botox Cosmetic helps reduce a “gummy smile” or high lip line without procedures like crown lengthening and gingival surgery.
- Oromandibular dystonia. OMD is involuntary spasms of the muscles around the mouth and lower face. Botox is ideal for this medical condition because the injection can specifically target the muscles causing the dystonia.
Dentists make great Botox injectors because they understand facial anatomy: structure, nerves and muscles. They also have experience with injections as they administer a local anesthetic before a cavity filling or a root canal.
Botox should be used in dentistry when it is part of a comprehensive treatment plan and not as a stand-alone procedure. It is essential that the dental professional received education and training before administering Botox. The regulations for Botox for dentists vary across the country, so it is important to check with the state licensing board for regulations and laws that govern a specific state.
Dermal Fillers: An Additional Add-On Treatment
Dermal fillers are another treatment that dentists are offering their clients. Facial fillers are categorized as injections and include treatments such as Restylane®, Perlane® and Juvéderm®.
These procedures fill the facial lines with hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule that holds many times its volume in water. It expands the skin much like the way a sponge increases its size when containing water.
The effects of a dermal fillers treatment last four months to a year and create a smoother complexion.