With progressive advancements and introduction of new techniques every now and then, an increasing number of people are now looking forward to enhance their appearance. Cosmetic surgery is one of the most thriving industries these days. One of most sought-after procedure in the cosmetic industry is the Dental Botox. Botox is actually the name of the brand that first extracted the botulinum toxin from the bacteria clostridium botulinum. Lets dig deeper to know how Botox has become an integral part of dentistry.
Botox in Dentistry
It is a common notion among people that Botox is associated only with aesthetic procedures to correct fine lines and wrinkles on the face. However, in these contemporary times the Botox treatment is being progressively used in dentistry, for aesthetic as well as functional purposes.
Journal of International Oral Health published a review which revealed that Botox in dentistry can be used correct issues like clenching, TMJ disorders, trismus, muscle spasms, headache, etc. Usually, Botox is used as a part of any comprehensive treatment and not as an independent procedure.
Hence, it would not be wrong to say that Botox Treatment has certainly broadened the horizon in dentistry, encouraging dentists worldwide to introduce this technique into their clinical practice.
Types of Dental Botox Treatment India
Botox Procedures in Dentistry
Here are some of the common reasons why Dental Botox is becoming increasingly popular:
01. Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorders - TMJ disorders are those related to the joint that connects the upper and lower jaws. People with an excessive habit of clenching tend to have issues like facial pain, headache, clicking sound while opening the mouth, neck pain etc. This can be corrected by injecting Botox injection that can cause muscle relaxation, which further leads to a significant relief in bruxism or clenching of teeth and hence treating TMJ-related disorders.
02. Improved Aesthetics in Dentofacial Areas - Dental Botox and fillers help in providing volume to the areas surrounding the oral cavity including the nasolabial folds, lip lines, etc. Moreover, dermal fillers can be administered into the interdental gums to cover the spacing between the teeth. These black triangles not only cause hindrance in a beautiful smile but also leads to accumulation of food particles.
03. Gummy Smile - Gummy smile is a condition when the gums are visible while smiling. This usually happens due to excessive contraction of upper lip muscles. Botox helps in relaxing the upper lip muscles due to which the exposure or gum visibility is reduced to a significant extent.
04. Enhanced Smile in Edentulous Patients - People who do not have teeth or wear dentures usually have their lips repositioned due to reduced vertical dimension, giving a droopy look. Botox can relax these muscles to their original shape, hence improving the smile and offering a better denture fit.
05. Dental Implant Success - In people who have a habit of bruxism or clenching of teeth, their muscles of mastication are over-stressed. This causes an impact on osteointegration of the dental implant with the bone. An injection of Botox causes relation of the muscles of mastication thereby improved the chances of dental implant success.
Dental Botox Procedure
The first consultation for getting the botox treatment should be related to a detailed discussion about the pros and cost, after care, or any other query that you might have. It is also essential for you to know if you are the right candidate for the treatment. If you are satisfied and everything goes well, the next appointment is scheduled to conduct the procedure.
On the day of procedure, you need to be relaxed and calm, because any stress or anxiety can cause perspiration which may cause hinderance in the treatment. No anesthesia is required during dental Botox procedure. The dentist will prepare the surface where the Botox has to be administered, and the measured amount of substance will be injected. The entire process does not take more than 15 minutes. You can go back home right away and resume all your routine activities.
Diagnosis of Dental Botox Treatment India
Contraindications of Dental Botox
Even though dental Botox treatment has proven to be successful in most of the cases, it may not suit well to some people. Before going for the treatment, it is highly crucial to consult a skilled professional who has a rich experience in the field. Some of the commonly known contraindications for dental Botox treatment are given below. You may not be a good candidate for botox:
- If you are pregnant
- If you are breastfeeding
- If you have or recently had urinary tract infection
- If you have a known allergy or hypersensitivity to Botox injection or its components including saline, lactose, albumin, etc.
- If there is any active infection in the area of Botox administration
- If you have been taking medications that increase the effect of Botox
- If you are taking medications that affect muscular functions such as muscle relaxants.
Symptoms and Risk factors
Dental Botox Results
Once injected into the body, the toxin binds at the conjecture of muscles and nerves called the motor endplate. This Botox binds with SNARE, a protein in the motor endplate, and reduces the intensity of signals coming from the brain and cause muscle relaxation.
Botox generally takes about 1-3 days to start showing signs, and complete effects are visible only after about 14 days of the procedure. Relaxation of muscles in the area treated can be helpful in reducing wrinkle lines, reducing uneasiness caused by new dentures, reducing the lack of confidence of people in themselves.
After being injected with the botulinum toxin, the patient can feel heaviness in the area for about 1-2 weeks. The operated area would look younger, smoother, and refreshed as the result. The duration of the final dental Botox before and after result majorly depends on the dosage in which it was given. Lighter dosages generally last for about 6-8 weeks but they tend to offer the best results. Conversely, heavier dosages last for about 3 months but can sometimes lead to some facial expressions being paralyzed. For example, some patients lose their ability of facial expressions like making a frowning face when heavily injected with Botox.
Using Botox does not lead to any long-term side effects. The patient, however, for the next few days can expect to face the following symptoms:
01. Welling or drooping in the eyelid area
02. Tiredness
03. Headache
04. Dry eyes
05. Neck pain
06. Double vision
The good news is that you can always consult your doctor if you have any of the above symptoms.
Dental Botox Cost
Botox is a lot cheaper than the other traditional and conventional procedures. With botox, not only does the patient save a pile of money, but also get rid of the complications. The exact cost varies with several factors such as expertise of the surgeon, area to be covered, any associated complication etc.
Conclusion
The use of Botox is safe. Even though it is a neuro toxin that can cause many incurable diseases if given in an unsupervised dose, the FDA has granted the permission for commercial use many years ago. It is a new mode of treatment in the modern era that helps reduce pain, improve function and aesthetics. People looking for a Botox treatment in dentistry should visit a registered dentist with a certification. In addition, they must provide every information related to their medical history.
