You might have heard of Botox as an aesthetic treatment that will reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. But this procedure can have dental benefits too. These injections contain medicine that briefly paralyzes the muscles in the face, not only treating the look of the skin but also releasing tension that could otherwise hurt your smile.
Your dentist specializes in dental structure as well as in the surrounding muscles and bones within the face. So you can trust them to understand how Botox will enhance your unique smile. National Botox Day is this month, so now is the perfect time to read about the advantages you will notice in your smile if you receive Botox from your dentist.
Dentistry Benefits with Botox Treatment
Relieve TMJ Symptoms
Tension can develop in the jaw for many reasons, including overall stress. Over time, this makes the muscles tight and sore, and if these symptoms continue, you could develop temporomandibular joint disorders, also known as TMJ. You could then notice radiating pain and difficulties performing oral functions with your jaw.
A Botox injection will relax these tight muscles, alleviating pain and other symptoms in the jaw related to TMJ. You can see improvement in jaw movement and relief from frequent headaches, earaches, and more.
TMJ can also occur if you have habits like teeth grinding or clenching. Botox can help you stop these behaviors too. Chronic bruxism like this can wear down your dental structure with the constant grating of the teeth against one another. Therefore, you can prevent dental emergencies with this treatment.
Patients also report that Botox can ease discomfort when receiving new oral appliances like dentures. They can avoid soreness in the mouth and other concerns as they adjust to these devices. This preventative measure can improve compliance with dental treatments this way.
While the effects of Botox usually fade after six months, this acute treatment can help you establish long-term therapies for TMJ disorders. Form a personalized treatment plan when you schedule a consultation with your dentist.
Enhance the Appearance of Your Smile
Botox is known for its aesthetic benefits for the skin, erasing the look of wrinkles. But this treatment will also enhance the appearance of your smile. For instance, some people have a high lip line, meaning a large part of the gums is exposed when they smile. These patients might feel self-conscious that their gums might detract from the way that their smile appears.
Botox can target the top lip so that the lip stays lower when the patient smiles. This makes the smile look less gummy, highlighting the patient’s beautiful teeth.
Botox will also preserve the way that your smile looks because it can stop fine lines from forming around the lips. Though Botox is not a permanent treatment, you can accomplish your smile aesthetic goals with these injections. Ask your dentist if this therapy is right for your unique dental needs.
