Nearly everyone knows that Botox is a wonderful way to restore a youthful appearance by softening both smile lines and frown lines. But did you know that Botox has therapeutic benefits as well? That’s right – while Botox in dentistry can certainly be used to restore your smile’s youthful appearance, it can also bring you relief from any pain around your TMJ (temporomandibular joint) as well. If you’re one of the many Americans suffering from TMJ issues, you know that it has a huge impact on your quality of life because it prevents you from eating, smiling and laughing comfortably. But with Botox, it’s easier than ever to reduce these symptoms and restore the function of your jaws. Keep reading below to find out more about the cosmetic and therapeutic benefits of this procedure!
How Can Botox Be Used In the Dental Office?
Botox works by relaxing the muscles, which is why it’s so effective at treating the muscles around the forehead, eyes and mouth that cause wrinkles.
It’s a perfect adjunct to other types of cosmetic dentistry in Greensboro, and is especially effective when a dentist has pursued esthetic training that allows them to restore a natural-looking and relaxed appearance to the smile.
In addition to the cosmetic benefits of Botox, it’s also very effective for patients who have TMJ pain because of excessive clenching and grinding. Since the cause of clenching and grinding is overactive facial muscles in the cheeks and jaws, Botox can relax these muscles in a way that nothing else can and provide long-lasting relief from jaw pain.
How Long Will the Effects Last?
If you’ve gotten Botox for cosmetic purposes, you can expect your results to take full effect in approximately 7-10 days and last about 3-4 months. For TMJ issues, it takes about 6 weeks to see the effects, but the results also last much longer (anywhere from 6 to 18 months).
Fortunately, getting Botox is fast and easy, so many patients simply schedule appointments with a Botox dentist at regular intervals, similar to scheduling their 6-month checkups. With regular appointments, patients don’t have to worry about going without the great results they’ve gotten used to having!
About the Author
As a general and cosmetic dentist with over 2 decades of experience, Dr. Patti Bradley has used Botox to help countless patients achieve a beautiful smile and get relief from TMJ pain. Having pursued post-graduate training at the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, she’s able to provide beautiful results that look very natural. If you’d like to know more about how Botox in dentistry can help you, she can be reached via her website or at (706) 453-1333.