How Does Botox Work?
Wrinkles in skin are formed by skin being repeatedly stretched over the muscle in the same pattern over the course of years. Aging skin loses elasticity over time and a crease forms over the muscle. Botox injections into the muscles blocks nerve responses. When this happens, the muscle relaxes, and the creased skin flattens–it’s harder for a wrinkle to stay in place when the muscle is not contracted.
Am I A Candidate For Botox?
Botox is FDA approved for use in patients aged 18-65. Our doctors will determine if you have medical issues that would prevent you from safely having Botox treatments in our office. These might include:
If you take certain medications or vitamins that can react with cosmetic Botox injections it may not be the best choice for you. We strongly recommend that you evaluate the safety of the treatments in a professional consultation with doctors in our office.
Request a Botox Consultation
Dental Botox Treatment for TMJ and Pain Management
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort anywhere along the jaw, neck, and even shoulder muscles, it may be caused by TMJ and the clenching and grinding of your teeth. What is TMJ? Your “temporomandibular joint” is where the jaw bone, or mandible, connects to the skull, or temporal bone. Our patients often experience pain that extends farther than the joint in their jaws and can cause conditions involving pain or dysfunction in surrounding muscles and tissue as well. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research more than 10 million Americans are affected by the disorder. This includes pain in and around the ears and jaw on either of both side of the face. Other symptoms can include headaches, facial tension, and the inability to open and close your mouth comfortably. It can even lead to painful clicking, popping, or grinding sounds while you are speaking, chewing, or yawning.
Our dentists have received specialized training from the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) and utilize Botox injections in our practice as a tool to help alleviate pain from grinding and to help relax the muscles that are in pain. Carefully diagnosing the cause of your pain and then customizing Botox injection sites can relax the masseter muscles in your face, and prevent them from overworking.
Dentists are the ideal providers to diagnose TMJ and other causes of facial pain and muscle pain symptoms in the facial and neck area. Dentists spend years studying facial anatomy and have extensive hands on experience injecting anesthetics in many of the same maxillofacial areas that are treated with Botox and dermal fillers. Many patients find that injections done by dentists are quicker and less painful than injections performed by other healthcare professionals.
Why Choose A Dentist For Cosmetic Botox?
Cosmetic Botox injections have become a well-known procedure that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. Our dentists can help you decide if Botox cosmetic treatments may be right for you. At Brookline Dental Specialists it is important to us that our patients be as educated as possible while deciding if Botox is right for them.
Dentists study facial muscles extensively in dental school and are extremely knowledgeable about the physical characteristics of the face. Dr. Fattahi along with other dental specialists in our practice can collaborate together to offer comprehensive cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry. Our patients appreciate the convenience of being able to visit us for general and cosmetic dentistry services at the same time as they’re receiving their Botox treatment. It is a convenient time saver, as well as a safe and predictable way to get the smoother looking skin and younger looking smile you want!
Dr. Fattahi
What Is A Botox Injection Procedure Like?
Even though Botox is injected into the face using a needle, most patients say that their treatment is not painful at all! The needles used are very, very small so only a tiny prick of pain may be felt. Dentists can use a topical anesthetic cream before injecting Botox to make the procedure pain free and as comfortable as possible. A cold pack 15 minutes beforehand can also be very effective. The injection process takes about ten minutes total. No rest or recovery time is required after your treatment–you can drive home, continue with the workday, run errands, and generally go about your life.
The positive effects of Botox do not occur immediately. Usually, improvement is noticed within the following few days. It takes two to four days for Botox toxin to attach to the nerve endings that control the muscle contractions, so after this happens is when wrinkles begin to diminish. The peak effect of Botox happens about two weeks after the procedure; after this point it can be assessed if follow up treatment is necessary. The results of one treatment can last up to three months. Many patients schedule treatment every three months proactively to maintain the results and the smoother look and feel of their skin.
How Much Does Botox Cost?
Dr. Fattahi will evaluate your goals and what will be required to achieve them on a one on one consultation with you. Botox is priced by the “unit” and one vial of Botox contains 100 units. Your treatment plan will determine the number of units you will need to have an effective outcome and the number of units will determine the cost. Unlike surgical or dermatological treatments such as dermabrasion, costs can vary depending on the severity of wrinkling in the skin in the treatment area and the frequency with which you will need follow up treatments for maintenance.