Botox® is a neurotoxin formulated by Allergan from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The most widely used application, Botox Cosmetic, was approved by the FDA in 2002 to reduce the appearance of moderate to severe frown lines temporarily. Since then, its cosmetic use has expanded to treat crow’s feet and forehead lines in adults. Botox injections only affect the nerves connected to motor neurons without impacting nerves connected to sensory neurons—the receptors integral to feeling pain, touch, and temperature.
In dentistry, Botox is often used along with cosmetic dentistry and implant procedures to enhance facial beauty. If you’re looking for Botox near you in Missoula, MT, this treatment has also shown efficacy in alleviating bruxism (tooth clenching/grinding) and symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Multiple research studies have shown the therapeutic benefits of these two applications, but since neither one has received FDA approval, this is considered an off-label treatment.
If you have excessive gingival exposure (gummy smile), this may be caused by hyperfunction of the muscles in your upper lip. If you feel self-conscious about smiling due to a gummy smile, Botox injections help weaken these muscles and reduce their hyperactivity. It typically takes 5-7 days to see results, and the cosmetic effects can last six months or longer.
Botox is widely used to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles on the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes. While these injections only take a few minutes to administer, it can take 24 to 48 hours for the appearance of lines and wrinkles to diminish. Treatment needs to be repeated about every six months to sustain the results.
An overactive facial muscle called the depressor anguli oris can lead to a downturned smile that looks like you’re frowning. Botox injections can weaken this muscle, turning your frown into a smile. In addition, Botox can diminish the appearance of age lines around your upper and lower lips to improve your overall smile beauty.
If you’ve lost all your teeth, your lip muscles become repositioned due to decreased vertical volume. Adjusting to dentures can be difficult due to this significant change in your mouth structure. Botox can relax and retrain the muscles around implant-supported dentures or traditional dentures to make the transition smoother.
Approximately 13% of adults involuntarily clench or grind their teeth while sleeping. If you’re experiencing this issue, we may recommend Botox in Missoula, MT, as an adjunct bruxism therapy with a customized night guard. Injecting Botox into a small, localized area effectively calms the nerves and tissues involved in tooth grinding.
If you have TMJ disorder, you may be experiencing jaw pain, difficulty chewing, migraines, facial swelling, and/or clicking and locking of your jaw joint. Multiple studies have shown that Botox injections in the lateral pterygoid muscle can be effective at reducing the clicking sound and other symptoms of TMJ disorder, including pain, hyperactivity, and dysfunction.
Botox is effective at muting nerve impulses associated with sweating. While FDA-approved solely for excessive underarm sweating, Botox injections are increasingly being used to manage primary hyperhidrosis when topical treatments have failed.
The treatment works by blocking the nerve signals instructing your sweat glands to become active. According to the International Hyperhidrosis Society, Botox can decrease excessive sweating by more than 85%.
The decision to get Botox depends on your preferences, specific concerns, and the absence of any contraindications. If you’re an adult aged 18 or older, you may be an ideal candidate for Botox at Big Sky Smiles & Sedation if you have any of these issues:
Since several national and state-level dental commissions and boards affirmed the ability of trained dentists to administer Botox in 2013, a growing number of dental practices offer this treatment. If you’re considering this procedure, choosing a dentist with appropriate training, experience, and a track record of delivering successful outcomes is essential.
At Big Sky Smiles & Sedation, our dentist, Dr. Tyler Bond, has advanced training, will discuss the steps involved in treatment, and will help you determine if Botox in Missoula, MT, is the best option to resolve your specific cosmetic or functional issues.
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