Now Offering Cosmetic and Dental Botox
Botox is not just for facial wrinkles anymore. Our office at Cascade Dental Care is now certified to administer cosmetic and dental Botox. Dentists can provide Botox treatments to their patients for many reasons, from smoothing out frown lines to treating a dental condition.
The botulinum toxin, also known by its shorthand name, Botox, has been used mostly by plastic surgeons and dermatologists to temporarily reduce wrinkles to give patients a more youthful appearance. Administered by injection, Botox paralyzes the muscles to prevent them from contracting and gradually smooths out wrinkles. Effects generally last three to four months.
You may be wondering how a dentist can administer Botox. Dentists have a deep knowledge of facial anatomy and physiology. They also have extensive experience administering different types of injections for anesthesia.
What Conditions Can Be Treated with Botox?
Botox can be used to treat the following conditions:
Bruxism. A person with bruxism chronically grinds or clenches their teeth together. This can damage the teeth and cause jaw pain. Botox can help by paralyzing the jaw muscles so the patient can no longer clench.
Temporal Mandibular Joint Disorder. This disorder often happens because of long-term bruxism. Patients with TMJ disorder experience pain in their jaw, and Botox can help alleviate some of this pain.
Headaches/Migraines. Headaches and migraines are sometimes caused by tightening of the neck, face, or jaw muscles. Using Botox will relax the tension in these muscles and reduce headaches.
Adjusting to Dentures. When a patient gets a new pair of dentures, it can be difficult to adjust to wearing them. Botox can relax and retrain the muscles around the denture, so it is more comfortable to wear.
If you are interested in Botox for dental or cosmetic reasons, call Cascade Dental Care to schedule an appointment with Dr. Loosli today!