Botox is the most popular treatment in dermatology, but does it have a place in dentistry?
Here at New Hope Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in New Hope, PA, Dr. Dawn Rickert, regularly uses Botox to address oral health issues and then some.
Dentistry and Botox
The reality is that Botox is finding more popular usage in the world of dentistry. The use of Botox within a dental practice is used as a component of a comprehensive treatment plan instead of a standalone procedure. The dental professional needs to have the appropriate training and experience in administering Botox to achieve the desired results.
Botox Therapeutic Applications
The temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) cover not only the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) but also other conditions that can be associated with the masticatory system functions. Often mistakenly mixed with other chronic pain disorders, the TMJ disturbances present an entirely different set of problems.
It has been found that the therapeutic applications of Botox can be effective in addressing tenderness and pain in TMJ disorders. Likewise, it can be used to assist in the management of TMJ cases, especially where muscular hyperactivity is involved.
Additionally, in bruxism or clenching of the teeth, your dentist in New Hope, PA, can inject a small amount of Botox into the masseter muscle at the sides of the face. This weakens the muscle and helps regulate the involuntary teeth grinding and jaw chewing either while asleep or awake. This does not affect the voluntary movements of chewing or showing facial expressions.
A gummy smile, which is a condition where a huge portion of the gums is shown above the upper teeth every time that you smile, could also be addressed with Botox treatment. Injections improve the appearance of the smile.
Other temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) that can be addressed by the therapeutic applications of Botox include:
- Oromandibular dystonia (OMD)
- Myofascial Pain
- Hypermobility
- Headaches
To Find Out If You Can Benefit From Botox, Contact Us
Book an evaluation with Dr. Dawn Rickert of New Hope Cosmetic and Family Dentistry in New Hope, PA, by dialing (215) 862-2525.