What is Botox?
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.
Within a few hours of Botox being injected into a muscle, it attaches to the endings of the nerves that control the muscle. Over the next several days, the toxin works to block the transmission of nerve signals that cause muscle contractions. Botox only affects the nerves connected to motor neurons, without affecting the nerves connected to sensory neurons — the receptors you need to feel pain, touch and temperature. Botox continues to block the nerve signals for three to four months.
Botox in Dentistry
For most people who hear the word “Botox”, they think of wrinkle reducing injections used in cosmetic procedures. Botox can be used in a dental office when it is part of a comprehensive treatment plan within a dental scope of practice and not as a stand-alone procedure.
While some dentists do use Botox for cosmetic procedures, there are many other uses for Botox in dentistry and it may be offered as an alternative when other treatments have failed to work.
- Treatment of Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
- Treatment of bruxism (grinding)
- Reducing a “gummy smile” without surgical intervention
- Adjustment of lips before or after denture placement or oral surgeries.
Side Effects of Botox
The Food and Drug Administration offers a warning for Botox based on the effects it can have if it is allowed to accidentally spread through the body. Spreading of the toxin systemically can cause urinary incontinence, muscle weakness, and dangerous breathing and swallowing difficulties.
Resistance to Botox is also possible over time after receiving repeated high doses. A different form of the toxin may then be needed in order to achieve the same results.
Should a Dentist Do Botox?
Botox is offered by many health care providers, including some who are not as highly trained in the maxillofacial area as dentists. Dentists are fully equipped for procedures far riskier than Botox and 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.
If you’d like to talk further with one of our specialists about your goals with the health of your mouth and teeth, or even the use of Botox in dentistry, give us a call to schedule a consultation!