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Restore Your Appearance
Dental Botox
If you’re self-conscious about your appearance in Covington and you’d like to reduce the prevalence of fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet, you may not have to go to a medspa or dermatologist for Botox. Dr. Keleigh Lascari is fully-trained in administering Botox to patients in Covington and the surrounding areas. Learn more about Botox at the dentist below, or contact us now for a consultation.
Understanding The Basics
Of Botox
Botox is obtained from the botulinum toxin. This is a very powerful toxic substance, but when it’s properly processed and used in Botox, it’s inert and completely safe. When injected into the face, Botox is able to selectively paralyze some of the facial muscles.
This causes the muscles and the surrounding tissue to relax, which helps smooth out wrinkles and fine lines on the face. Botox is often used on the forehead and neck, but can be administered almost anywhere on the face, depending on your particular needs.
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Why Would I Get Botox
From My Dentist?
There are a few great reasons to get Botox at the dentist. Dentists focus primarily on the head and neck anatomy of muscles, arteries, nerves, and veins; therefore, they are second to none when providing a safe Botox injection. Dentists learn a lot about facial anatomy during dental school, so Dr. Lascari is able to use this expert knowledge to deliver customized care.
Getting Botox at the dentist is also very convenient. You can get Botox as part of a six-month teeth cleaning and oral exam, which means you won’t have to spend more time driving across town to another office just for Botox treatment.
If you've had a dental restoration, you protect your investment. Botox relaxes your jaw so you don't damage your restoration or implant from teeth grinding or clenching.
You can also get other cosmetic dentistry treatments that help you feel more confident about your appearance at your dentist, such as teeth whitening to reverse staining and yellowing, which makes you look younger.
Treatment For Jaw Pain
Botox For TMJ/TMD
Botox is sometimes used to treat TMJ/TMD (Temporomandibular joint disorder). This disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jaw to the skull, become inflamed due to trauma, overuse, disease, or another such issue.
TMJ/TMD can result in painful clicking and locking of the jaw, radiating facial pain, difficulty chewing, and other negative consequences. Botox is used as a treatment for TMJ/TMD. Botox can selectively paralyze the facial muscles, which can help with teeth clenching and grinding, relax the joint, and allow the area to heal. For more information, contact Dr. Lascari for a TMJ/TMD assessment.
What To Expect
From Botox Treatment
Botox treatment is minimally-invasive and takes only a few moments. Dr. Lascari will use a special syringe to deliver a pre-measured dose of Botox into the problem areas of your face. The process usually takes only a few minutes.
Note that it may take up to 2-8 days to notice results, since Botox takes some time to be absorbed into your facial muscles. The full effects are noticeable after about 2 weeks. Botox treatments typically last about 3-4 months, so you may need to come back to Cornerstone Dentistry for another appointment at this time.
Protecting Your Investment
How to Take Care of Dental Botox
Taking good care of your dental Botox is imperative to getting good returns on your investment. By following the dentist's post-care instructions in the letter. Also, don’t forget to apply a cold compress to the treated area to minimize swelling and discomfort. In addition to applying an ice pack, it’s also important to avoid touching the treated area or you might spread toxins to sensitive areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a Good Candidate for Botox?
Great candidates for Botox are typically non-pregnant adults over the age of 18 years in good health. The procedure is exceedingly beneficial for individuals with temporomandibular joint disorders, bruxism, and a gummy smile. Botox helps relax the jaw muscles to alleviate symptoms of these disorders and also reduce pain. You may also need Botox for cosmetic reasons if you have a smile and smoker’s line or wrinkles near the mouth for a more youthful smile.
How Long Does the Treatment Take?
The amount of time needed for a Botox treatment depends on the number of areas to be treated and the patient's dosage. In most cases, the treatment takes anywhere from 10 to 15 mins. After reading and signing the informed consent, the dentist will start treatment by cleaning the affected before injecting the required dosage of Botox. The injection typically feels like a slight pinch and only takes a few seconds. The patient is then released with post-treatment care instructions. The dentist might recommend over-the-counter analgesics to manage any mild pain and discomfort you might experience after the procedure.
Is There a Recovery Phase or Downtime?
There is no downtime or recovery time with dental Botox. Patients get their Botox injections in about 15 minutes and get back to their lives. However, patients should remember not to touch or rub the injected area for at least 24 hours after the procedure, to avoid spreading the Botox to other unintended areas.
How Quickly Will Botox Results Appear?
Patients will start experiencing their youthful smiles only 3 to 4 days after the procedure. However, it’ll take about 10 days or two weeks for the drug to take full effect. It’s one of the least invasive cosmetic treatment options. It’s worth noting that Botox wears off in about 6 to 8 months. This means that follow-up treatment is necessary to maintain the chemical’s effect.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
The longevity of Botox injections depends on several factors but largely the dosage, the area treated, and the individual’s metabolism. However, Botox lasts on average for 4 to 6 months. The muscles resume normal functionality after this period and symptoms start to resurface again and so do facial imperfections. Patients should arrange follow-up Botox appointments to maintain their treatments and the youthfulness of their smiles.
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