Botox Therapeutic and Botox Cosmetic

                                           

           

I am very excited to tell you about new procedures that I am introducing to my practice in both Uptown and in Cannon Falls:

Botox Therapeutic and Botox Cosmetic.

Now you may think, what does a Dentist have to do with Botox?

Here is how it happened.

 About three years ago at a Seattle Study Club Regional Seminar on creating great smiles and facial aesthetics, the speaker was talking about treatments for what is known as a “gummy smile”.  That is, showing a lot of gum tissue above your teeth when you smile.  He commented that today rather than a surgical procedure to reduce the amount of gingiva showing above the upper teeth, Botox can be used to relax the upper lip to achieve the same result. That got me thinking that it would be useful to have that ability to do that in my practice.  I looked online for courses that were available, but one thing or another kept me away for two years. Then I received a flyer announcing courses that were going to be given in Minneapolis. They were on Botox and oral facial pain and on Botox cosmetic.  I've never really heard of Botox being used for oral facial pain so I was intrigued by that. I made arrangements and signed up for the courses.  After reviewing anatomy, we studied symptoms, deferential diagnosis, treatment options and treatment planning. We then went into the facts about Botox, how it works, its chemistry, its limitations, its safety and limited side effects. Finally we had hands on experience, practicing on our “lab” partners, just like in dental school. 

I have always held tension in my jaw and have been a “bruxer”. That is grinding my teeth when under stress. I have worn through night guards and tried many different things to help reduce stress.  Those muscles kept getting stronger and stronger. My lab partner injected 10 units of Botox into each of my major jaw muscles (Masseter), within a week I started to notice a difference, the tension was less. Some people have much more complex muscle involvement than I did, and require more units of Botox to achieve the goal. The effects of Botox can last for up to three months. Pain symptoms may return three months after initial treatment but with a series of treatments Botox can retrain your muscles to relax and you will notice your symptoms resolved for longer periods of time.

                                  

As I said, I also learned and became certified in Botox cosmetic. Dentists use needles every day more than most any other healthcare professional. Being gentle and accurate with injection is what we do.  Once the anatomy was learned, the injections were very simple and came second nature to me. Just as using Botox therapeutically helps the muscles to relax, using it aesthetically allows the muscles of the face to relax and the skin to be refreshed and renewed.

Relaxing the muscles of the face not only relieve the tension that causes temporomandibular joint disorders but can also help with other pathologies such as migraine. Are you wondering if you're good candidate for Botox treatments? Botox may or may not be the right treatment for you.  The best candidates for treatment with Botox are between the ages of 18 and 65, diagnosed with or experiencing discomfort from TMJ disorders, looking for a non-surgical skin treatment for removing wrinkles and fine lines, in good physical and psychological health and willing to discuss their concerns and desires with their dentist before treatment. If you feel you are a good candidate for Botox treatment and are interested in learning more please contact our office to schedule a consultation .We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 Patrick J Prochaska DDS