Botox

Botox® is the most popular nonsurgical cosmetic treatment in the United States. But this innovative injection does more than erase lines and wrinkles. At Smiles for Maple Valley, in Maple Valley, Washington, Narges Lotfi, DDS, uses Botox injections for cosmetic and dental purposes. To learn more about the many uses of Botox, contact the office by phone or online today.

What is Botox?

Botox is a prescription injection that contains a substance known as onabotulinumtoxinA, a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. When injected in small doses by trained doctors, the neurotoxin temporarily halts muscle activity or blocks nerve transmissions to get the desired effect. Depending on the reason for the injection, the effects may last anywhere from three to 12 months.

What dental conditions benefit from Botox injections?

Because of its popularity as a cosmetic treatment, you may not be aware that Botox injections benefit many conditions, including dental issues. The team at Smiles for Maple Valley has specialized training for Botox in Dentistry. They may recommend the injection as a treatment option to help manage facial pain. 

Some of the dental conditions that may benefit from Botox injections include:

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or TMJ)

TMD is a chronic pain condition that develops when your jaw's bones, muscles, and joints aren’t functioning as they should. TMD can lead to chronic headaches, ear pain, or lockjaw. The team may suggest Botox injections as a treatment to help alleviate your TMD symptoms.

Bruxism

Bruxism refers to the unconscious clenching and grinding of your teeth. Over time, the constant stress on your teeth from clenching and grinding can lead to dental damage that may cause your teeth to flatten, fracture, or chip and make you more vulnerable to dental problems.

Though dental appliances work well for those suffering from bruxism, they don’t stop the muscle contractions that cause clenching and grinding. Botox injections may help reduce these unconscious muscle movements to further protect your teeth and alleviate other symptoms, such as head or facial pain.

What are the cosmetic uses for Botox?

The team at Smiles for Maple Valley is also trained to use Botox as a cosmetic treatment to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. They utilize the injection to treat forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. 

Whether for dental or cosmetic purposes, your Botox injections must be given by a trained professional to get the best results. To schedule an appointment to learn more about the many uses of Botox, call Smiles for Maple Valley or select the online booking button today.