We all know that Botox treatment is considered to be the best ones to get rid of those unwanted lines, dips, and wrinkles on the face. But did you know Botox procedure or use of botulinum toxin can also benefit various orthodontic troubles? If you feel Botox treatment is only meant for eliminating fine lines and wrinkles from the face, you have landed at the right place. In this article, we will talk about how Botox treatment is used in dentistry. But before that, let us look at what is involved in this treatment for dentistry.

The Use of Botulinum Toxin

Botox, also known as botulinum toxin or BoNT-A (Botox®) is a neurotoxic protein. The protein available in the market is the purified exotoxin type of the anaerobic bacteria – Clostridium botulinum. BoNT-A works by preventing the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular joint.

How is Botox Used in Dentistry?

BoNT-A or Botox is prepared in laboratories after the fermentation of C botulinum. The toxin then produced after the fermentation process is purified further and crystallized with ammonium sulfate. The formula is then diluted with human serum albumin. The final Botox compound is then packed and preserved under cold conditions for a week. After a week when it is ready, the final botulinum toxin is injected in the painful muscles of the face, generally at the temporomandibular and neuromuscular joint. When a small amount of Botox is injected into a muscle, it blocks nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract. This will either reduce the intensity of the contraction of the neuromuscular muscle or will eliminate the contraction altogether, depending on the amount of Botox used.

Applications of Botox in Dentistry

  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome

  • Teeth grinding & clenching (bruxism) reduction

  • Mandibular spasm

  • Orthodontic treatment and surgery recovery

  • Facial pain reduction

Why Dentists Prefer Botox Treatment?

The major reason why dentists prefer Botox treatment over other procedures is that BoNT-A is less invasive to facial muscles. For issues such as temporomandibular joint pain and dislocation, the solutions are difficult and costly. They may go on for a long time and don’t have a 100% success rate. Botox treatment is considered to a quicker, cheaper, and more effective option for temporomandibular joint disorders and other problems mentioned above. When done correctly, the uneasy feeling subsides within 2-3 weeks, and the treatment provides soothing results for about a decade.

Botulinum toxin is completely safe and hardly has any side-effects such as headaches and short-term drooping eyelids. So, if you are facing any of the above-mentioned problems, you must discuss it with your dentist in Edmonton to find out if Botox treatment is the right solution.

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