"Botox is a purified protein made from the Botulinum toxin, which is produced by a bacteria," stated Dr. Lauren Nguyen, cosmetic dentist and owner of Pinnacle Dental in Houston, Texas. "It is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that is non-surgical and reversible. In earlier years it was primarily known for its cosmetic use with facial wrinkles. However research has given us much to consider. There are now new types of Botox and its applications have expanded greatly. Currently Botox treatments are used for muscle-generated dental diseases such as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD and TMJ), clenching, masseter hypertrophy, and other functional conditions or disorders. And the cosmetic uses of Botox treatments have also expanded."
Can Botox Be Used In Dentistry?
Cosmetic dentists and other dental professionals must undertake training and education concerning the use of Botox. They are allowed to administer Botox injections as part of a treatment plan within the scope of their dental practice. Common Botox treatments administered by cosmetic dentists and other dental professionals include temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic migraines, and cosmetic applications.
What Exactly Does Botox Do?
Botox blocks particular chemical signals from nerves. These chemical signals cause muscles to contract. The net result is that the muscles will temporarily relax. The benefit to the patient is that certain facial muscles will relax and provide pain relief to certain conditions. Cosmetically Botox injections will relax the facial muscles that contract and cause wrinkles in the forehead.
A common practice in medicine, called "off-label", is the prescription of a drug that has been FDA approved for one condition for a different condition that has NOT been FDA approved. Doctors are legally allowed to prescribe Botox "off-label" and it has resulted in some experimentation and a huge increase in its use for different applications.
Various Conditions Treated With Botox With FDA Approval
- Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD and TMJ)
- Bruxism
- Chronic Migraines
- Severe Neck Spasms
- Crossed-Eyes (Strabismus)
- Overactive Bladder
- Excessive Underarm Sweating
Various Conditions Treated With Botox WITHOUT FDA Approval
- Cleft Lip Scars In Babies
- Severely Cold Hands
- Abnormal Heartbeat
- Depression
- Reducing Foot Pain
- Reducing Back Pain
- Twitching Eyelids
What Are The Side Effects Of Botox?
There can be side-effects resulting from Botox injections. They are infrequent, relatively minor, and usually disappear within a few days. Cosmetic dentists and other dental professionals will always advise their patients about possible side-effects. Side-effects can include the following:
- injection site reactions including redness, swelling, bruising, and pain
- crooked smile
- droopy eyelid
- allergic reactions
- rash
- itching
- headache
- neck or back pain
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty swallowing
- shortness of breath
- nausea
- diarrhea
Dr Lauren Nguyen graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She has been a practicing cosmetic dentist since 1998 in the Galleria and Uptown areas of Houston, Texas. To stay up-to-date on the latest cosmetic dental technologies, she continues to attend extensive postdoctoral studies in advanced dentistry with a focus on cosmetic dentistry. She is qualified to provide Botox treatments to all of her patients. And she has one of the larger Botox patient lists in the Houston metro area.
