Botox and Dentistry

Botox is becoming more and more popular and is the most minimally invasive cosmetic procedure performed. Botox has become popular in the dental world because we as dentists are part of the medical field and we are real doctors. We study head and neck anatomy extensively and are more than comfortable and competent when it comes to injecting a medicinal agent into the body, as we do this all day with local anesthesia in the oral cavity, which is one of the most sensitive areas of the body. We understand that a smile is more than just teeth. The soft tissues surrounding a smile play an important role in the whole esthetic outcome when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. We can definitely make teeth beautiful without Botox, but sometimes to give the patient that beautiful smile they are looking for, we can incorporate Botox into the treatment plan. Some patients are not happy with their gummy smile, we can solve this issue temporarily by having Botox treatment, which is a less invasive procedure than bone and gum surgery and can last up to about 4 months. This can give patients a chance to see if they like the look of their new smile and may choose something more permanent which would include gum and bone surgery. With Botox being a muscle relaxant we can also use Botox for patients that habitually grind their teeth, for patients that suffer from TMJ pain and migraines. With proper education and training, Botox is a safe treatment option with beautiful results that can improve smiles and well-being.