Botox

Uses in dentistry

Botox has gained popularity with the public in recent years and has many different applications not only for cosmetics, medicine but also dentistry.

In dentistry we use Botox in conjunction with smile makeovers and full mouth reconstruction cases to restore a more youthful appearance. It can be used to reduce wrinkles and relax the muscles in the facial complex.

Botox is used to soften the facial lines that are caused by repetitive muscle contraction.

Use for clinchers and grinders to help decrease the muscle activity of the masseter muscle. Patients that regularly chew hard foods or gum can develop strong masseter muscles that can be relaxed with the use of Botox.

Some patients show more teeth and gums when they smile. Botox can be used to help reduce this ‘gummy smile’ appearance. Some patients have lines around their lips called perioral lip lines or ‘smokers lines’ that are caused by smoking or excessive pursing of the lips. A little Botox around the lips can help to soften those lines.

Some patients naturally have a bit of a mouth frown where the corners of the mouth are pulled down. Botox can be used to help restore the balance between and lip evelators and depressors and eliminate the frowning appearance.

What is Botox?

Botox is a purified protein derived from the Clostridium botulinum toxin type A. Botox works by blocking the neuromuscular transmission to a muscle, therefore inhibiting the muscle from contracting or “firing”. Botox has many therapeutic uses and has been used in many other muscle related disorders for many years. Examples in medicine include eye twitching, multiple sclerosis, juvenile cerebral palsy and even chronic migraines.

How does it work?

Botox works by binding to the local nerve endings around the injection site. This blocks the message transmission from the nerve to the muscle motor end plate. The muscle relaxes when it receives no messages from the nerve.