If you've heard of BOTOX®, it is probably because it is known for improving and enhancing your appearance by minimizing wrinkles, creases, and fine lines in your skin. While it's true that it works wonders for restoring a more youthful appearance, and our dentists use it for its cosmetic benefits, there are also several therapeutic uses for BOTOX in dentistry that you might not know about.
Today, we will focus our information on how BOTOX relieves common painful jaw joint (TMJ) disorders like temporomandibular disorder (TMD). At Park Place Dental, Dr. Ellie Moore is certified to deliver safe Botox injections, and she's helped hundreds of patients find relief from their discomfort.
However, Dr. Moore is also happy to discuss using BOTOX to enhance your appearance. Many patients combine BOTOX treatments with other cosmetic dental procedures to improve their facial appearance and smile. We encourage you to book an evaluation with Dr. Moore to learn more about BOTOX and cosmetic dentistry.
How Does BOTOX Work?
BOTOX is the brand name for a type of neurotoxin produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. While the amount of toxin injected is minimal, it's incredibly effective because it blocks the release of neurotransmitters, causing facial muscles to relax and smooth, which is why it's widely used for facial aesthetics. But because it causes muscular paralysis, BOTOX can also be used to manage chronic pain related to migraines and for TMJ treatment to eliminate clenching and grinding (bruxism) and TMJ-related disorders like TMD.
Treatment with BOTOX is straightforward, and we can typically complete it during one visit to our Barrie dental office. BOTOX may take a few days to become fully effective to where you'll notice results, and its effects typically last around three to four months before you'll need additional injections.
Is BOTOX Safe?
Since it is a neurotoxin, many people wonder how safe BOTOX is. Because the amount of neurotoxin delivered is minimal, BOTOX is safe and typically doesn't leave you with lingering side effects. However, some patients might experience these potential side effects:
- Pain where the injection was administered
- Slight swelling near the injection site
- Bruising around the site of the injection
These side effects are expected to naturally subside after a few days.
You should be able to return to your normal daily activities after your treatment with BOTOX, and you should contact Dr. Moore if you experience any unusual side effects or symptoms that don't seem to be going away.
How BOTOX Helps with TMJ Disorders
Some of the uncomfortable symptoms of TMD that BOTOX treatments can relieve are:
- Tooth clenching and grinding: Chronic clenching and grinding of your teeth can damage your teeth and gums and often results in headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and ongoing oral health problems. But BOTOX injected into the muscles that control chewing can relieve painful symptoms and eliminate the resulting damage to your teeth. Unlike mouth guards that prevent teeth from coming into contact with each other, BOTOX tackles the underlying cause of the problem.
- Chronic headaches or migraines: If you have a history of migraine headaches, you know the toll they can take on your quality of life. BOTOX has been proven to provide relief for migraines.
- Tenderness in the jaw muscles: Relaxing the jaw muscles with BOTOX can alleviate the pain and tenderness caused by TMD.
- Clicking or locking of the jaw: TMD can cause your joints to pop or click upon opening or closing your mouth. Some patients also experience their jaws locking either open or closed due to TMD. BOTOX can relieve some of these symptoms by relaxing your muscles.
Why Choose Your Dentist in Barrie for BOTOX Treatments?
More and more dentists today are trained to administer BOTOX injections because of their familiarity with the movement of facial muscles. Your Barrie dentist is actually the best candidate to deliver comfortable BOTOX injections because of their extensive training in facial muscles, structure, and anatomy.
Your dentist also administers injections daily for dental procedures, such as tooth crowns, fillings, veneers, and many other treatments. They have the skills and a deep understanding of how to deliver comfortable, effective, and stress-free injections to patients.
Is BOTOX in Barrie, ON Right for You?
Whether you seek pain relief or a more youthful smile, please call to arrange a consultation with Dr. Moore. She will listen to your concerns and provide guidance to make an informed decision about BOTOX treatment.
