Botox in Tacoma

How is Botox Used in Dentistry?

Botox or botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by the same bacteria that causes botulism (food poisoning). When administered carefully in small doses, it can temporarily weaken or paralyze muscles. 

When first discovered, it was put on the market for medical uses such as treating eye muscle disorders. Then, the cosmetic benefits of Botox were discovered and it became popularized for its ability to make patients look more youthful by minimizing the appearance of wrinkles. 

However, Botox is also useful for treating myofascial pain and preventing teeth grinding or jaw strain due to TMJ. Since dentists are specially trained and experienced in facial anatomy, and the administration of injections, and because Botox offers both cosmetic and restorative dental benefits, it is becoming more common to receive Botox at dental offices. Contact your cosmetic dentist in Tacoma at Rainier Smiles Dentistry today to schedule a consultation.

Botox in Tacoma

Did you know…

Botox can reduce high hip lines to improve the fit of dentures and other restorations.

READY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT IN TACOMA?

Call (253) 565-1695!

The Dental Botox Treatment Process in tacoma

Consultation

Our Tacoma dentist will review your medical history, analyze your face, and discuss your goals to determine if Botox is right for you.

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Preparation

There are certain lifestyle choices you will need to make about a week leading up to your Botox injections. You will need to avoid alcohol, certain medications, foods, sun exposure, and harsh chemicals.

Numbing

Before we administer any injections, we can offer you a topical numbing gel and sedation to make you feel more comfortable.

Injection

After cleaning your face, we will administer a series of injections using a microneedle that will feel like nothing more than a pinch. The areas we inject will depend on your treatment plan and specific goals.

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Aftercare

After administering the injections, you will be given aftercare instructions. Carefully follow these instructions to avoid bruising. You cannot lie down, exercise, or touch your face for a certain amount of time.

What Can Botox Treat?

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Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Botox freezes facial muscles to prevent you from contracting certain muscles. This prevents you from making facial expressions that contribute to wrinkles. By injecting Botox into certain areas of the face, we can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This can complement your smile and make you look younger. Botox can also be used to treat gummy smiles, butt chins, upside-down smiles, and smile lines.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a condition that many patients have without knowing it because it causes you to grind your teeth in your sleep. This can cause severe damage or breakage to your teeth by exerting too much force when you clench your jaw. 

This can also cause a lot of tooth and jaw pain. Botox can be injected into the forehead, temples, and masseters to prevent the muscle contractions responsible for clenching. This can reduce the tendency to grind your teeth so you don’t have to wear a mouthguard to sleep every night.

TMJ

TMJ is a painful condition that occurs as a result of dysfunction or damage to the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull. It’s associated with teeth grinding, arthritis, and jaw injuries. 

When injections are placed in the same areas that we use to prevent teeth grinding, these also improve TMJ symptoms like jaw pain, clicking and popping when opening the jaw, lockjaw, headaches, ear and facial pain, tinnitus, and difficulty opening the mouth wide. Injecting botox into the masseter muscles helps relax your jaw to relieve straining that causes pain and lack of jaw mobility in TMJ.

Did you know…

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Botox lasts for an average of 3 to 4 months before being metabolized.

READY FOR YOUR NEXT DENTAL APPOINTMENT?

Call (253) 565-1695!