Botox

BOTOX Q & A

Why does my dentist use Botox?

We all know what Botox is, we’ve just never heard it heard in the same sentence as “dentist” before. When most of us think of Botox, we immediately picture fine lines, forehead wrinkles, and saggy skin.

It’s true that Botox is commonly used by dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons to reduce wrinkles, but the way it smoothes skin is actually the same reason why dentists like Dr. Bock use it in their dental practices.

Botox injections attach to nerve endings of the motor muscles in your face, impacting the nerve transmission to these muscles. In other words, Botox causes temporary muscle paralysis to smooth wrinkles in your face.

Because Botox acts as a natural muscle relaxer for your skin, it works the same way to relax the tight muscles in your jaw.

If you suffer from a mouth disorder, like TMJ or teeth grinding, Botox could immediately alleviate your sore jaw, discomfort, and jaw tightness in as little as one treatment.

Should I consider Botox?

TMJ is a disorder that tends to worsen over time, especially during times of stress. If your joint pain and jaw soreness is starting to affect your day-to-day life, Botox may be a great non-invasive alternative to jaw surgery.

When coupled with other treatments, like night guards, Botox can help reduce TMJ symptoms, such as:

• Jaw pain
• Sore jaw
• Ear pain
• Joint pain
• Facial sensitivity
• Pain while chewing
• Jaw clicking
• Lockjaw

When over-the-counter pain relievers are not doing the trick to alleviate your jaw pain, Botox may be your best bet in finding real relief.

What should I consider before getting Botox?

There are plenty of reasons why Dr. Bock may incorporate Botox injections into your treatment plan.

In addition to relieving jaw pain and tightness, Botox is also used in dentistry to:

• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth
• Help patients get used to new dentures
• Treat high lip line patients
• Retrain muscles after an orthodontic procedure

While Botox can help alleviate pain and improve your smile, it should not be used if you are:

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Taking blood thinners
• Using certain antibiotics

For more information on how Botox can relieve jaw pain and give you the best smile possible, call or book an appointment online with Cityview Dental Arts today.