Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

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Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

Hi! My name is Addy Reed. I’m 57 years old and have been neglectful about going to the dentist. Last month was my first dentist visit in six years. I had always been diligent about twice a year cleanings and checkups, but time got away from me until one of my crowns came out. As we age, the dental work from years past tends to do that. When you neglect to visit the dentist on a regular basis, the list of things that need to be done may grow; at least this was my experience. I left the dentist office with an extensive list of things I needed to have done. The office staff was very kind. They are working with me to set up a plan. I’m going to share some ideas on how to tackle a dental treatment plan, keeping it affordable and not too overwhelming.

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Dental Botox: Frequently Asked Questions

15 March 2022
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Many people associate Botox with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helping prevent migraines, or even helping eliminate body odor in the underarms. However, you might not realize that Botox is used in several other fields beyond dermatology, including dentistry. Here are the answers to all the frequently asked questions you might have about Botox injections in dentistry.

How Exactly Does Botox Work?

Botox is created from botulinum toxin type A and is a safe, effective way to block certain neurotransmitters from reaching nerves and muscles on targeted areas of the face and body. For example, many dermatologists use Botox to stop muscle contractions on the forehead and other areas of the face, which helps eliminate fine lines and wrinkles.

Your dentist will use Botox in a much similar way to treat a variety of common conditions of the mouth and jaw.

What Dental Conditions Can Be Treated by Botox?

Your dentist can use Botox to treat a variety of conditions, including:

  • New denture patients. Many new denture wearers feel uncomfortable as their mouth adjusts to having the dentures in their mouth. Botox can help relax the muscles around the mouth, which can provide relief from the pain associated with new dentures.
  • Stop teeth grinding. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is often caused by involuntary movement in the jaw, including clenching. Botox will help relax the jaw muscles and help stop teeth grinding.
  • End the pain of TMJ. TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is caused by a variety of conditions and a disorder that impacts the muscles of the jaw. Botox can help relax the jaw muscles and help people with TMJ find relief.

Many patients with TMJ suffer from headaches, which can also be alleviated by receiving Botox injections in the face and jaw muscles.

How Will My Dentist Administer Botox?

Depending upon your needs and the dentist's preferences, you may receive a numbing agent in the muscles that your dentist is targeting to receive the Botox injections. The Botox injections themselves are administered through very small, thin needles and it only takes a few minutes for the entire procedure to occur.

After the Botox is administered, you may notice a little tingling, discomfort, and redness around the injection site. Luckily, these symptoms are typically very minor, and you will be able to start enjoying your life within a few hours of receiving your Botox injections.

If you suffer from a number of common conditions of the mouth and jaw, including bruxism or TMJ, your dentist might recommend Botox to help you find relief.