Botox (botulinum toxin) are an increasingly popular esthetic treatment for unsightly frown lines between the eyes and smoothing of facial wrinkles. Botox treatments are the most commonly preformed minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in North America, and there are millions of Botox procedures performed each year.

Botox has a tremendous value as a cosmetic dental treatment. The most common uses for Botox is to smooth facial wrinkles of the forehead, between the eyes (glabellar region) and around the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet), but there are therapeutic uses for Botox in dentistry as well. While most people associate a dentist with oral health and teeth, dentists are also experts in the head, face and neck. At Morrison Dental, we have the requisite training to offer Botox injections in a safe atmosphere for cosmetic or therapeutic reasons. There are several dental conditions that can be treated with Botox and we may recommend this treatment if it’s in the best interests of the patient.

How Botox works

Botox is injected into the facial muscles and by it attaching itself to the nerve endings of the motor muscles, it affects the nerve transmission to these muscles. There is no loss of sensory feeling at all during the time that Botox is effective. Once these motor nerve endings are interrupted, the muscles cannot contract. When the muscle does not contract, the dynamic motion that causes wrinkles in the skin will then cease. Approximately three to ten days after treatment, the skin becomes smooth.

The effects of Botox can last approximately three to four months depending on various factors. Botox is a temporary treatment, and the safety records for Botox is nearly unparalleled in the medical community.