Dr. Tu can complete your smile makeover with Botox® injections to address fine lines and wrinkles around the face and neck areas. Botox is a very popular skin care treatment, and the FDA approves it to treat common signs of aging. Botox injections can relax muscles that are causing the appearance of frown lines, brow lines, acne scars, crow’s feet, and folds or creases around the nose and lips. We offer Botox and additional cosmetic dentistry services in our North Liberty, IA dental office.
What Is Botox?
Botox® Cosmetic is an injectable Botulinum toxin that will block nerve signals to targeted muscles, preventing contraction. Doctors use Botox to relax certain facial muscles that create lines, folds, and wrinkles. After Botox, the skin will appear smoother and more youthful due to the relaxed muscles under the skin.
Botox is a nonsurgical treatment that gives you results within days. Because it’s noninvasive, there’s no downtime after the procedure. You can get Botox on your lunch break and then return to work if you choose to. We can use it for cosmetic and medical purposes, making it a convenient tool for dentists.
The Botox Process
As with any treatment, we start with a consultation. Dr. Tu will discuss your medical history to ensure Botox is a viable treatment option for you. We’ll discuss whether you’re getting Botox for cosmetic or medical reasons. If you’re getting cosmetic Botox, we create a personalized plan based on your facial structure. For TMJ Botox, we look at your jaw muscles and bite alignment.
The actual procedure only takes 10-15 minutes in our office. The injection needle is incredibly small, so you can barely notice it. We can also provide topical numbing cream at your request. Dr. Tu will inject small amounts of Botox into the selected treatment areas.
There’s no downtime after Botox, so you can return to work or other activities. However, we recommend avoiding strenuous activity, laying down, or rubbing the treatment area for a few hours after your procedure. You may also notice some soreness or redness around the injection sites for a few hours.
Getting Botox at the Dentist
While many people don’t think of the dentist when they think of getting Botox, dentists are ideal for the treatment. They’re highly qualified professionals who can provide safe and effective treatment and have extensive knowledge of facial structure.
Dentists are experts in facial anatomy. They spend years in school studying the muscles and bones of the face and how they all work together, and they work with them every day. Botox requires injections in precise places to get the desired effect, and dentists are uniquely qualified to do this.
The timeframe of Botox treatments fits well with when you should regularly see the dentist. This makes it easy to incorporate Botox into your dental routine. You can just add it to the agenda for your biannual dental checkups. A dentist office is a sterile, medical environment, so you can feel comfortable receiving Botox treatment there. It’s convenient and eliminates the stress of making multiple appointments.
Botox can treat wrinkles and other signs of aging and has dental benefits. Teeth grinding and clenching can wear down teeth and cause pain throughout the jaw and face. If it goes on long enough, you can develop a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The range of motion in your jaw gets restricted. Botox relaxes the overactive muscles that move the jaw, reducing the pain and clenching that causes problems.
Botox FAQs
Many patients are surprised that a dentist office offers Botox. Learn more by reading the answers to these commonly asked questions.
Are Botox injections painful?
Dr. Tu will clean your skin and use a topical anesthetic to numb the area before placing injections. You may feel a slight pinch, but the procedure is generally pain-free. After the procedure, you may experience some soreness and swelling for a few days. Use a cold compress to manage swelling and over-the-counter pain relievers to manage soreness.
How long does Botox last?
Botox typically lasts about six months, but this is the average. It can depend upon what is being treated and the condition of your skin. Some patients may enjoy results for more than six months. One of the benefits of receiving ongoing treatment with Botox in our dental office is that Dr. Tu can evaluate your needs for a touch-up during your bi-annual dental care visits.
Is Botox at the dentist safe?
While not every dentist can administer Botox, if they’re qualified, it’s safe. Ensure that your dentist is experienced with Botox and is certified to apply it. Dentists are actually uniquely qualified to give Botox, given the extensive knowledge they have of the musculoskeletal structure of the face.
Why choose my dentist for Botox?
As a dentist, Dr. Tu thoroughly understands the structure and function of facial muscles. His advanced studies of the occlusal system support this knowledge and provide the foundation for successful treatment with Botox that will provide safe and natural-looking results. Our state-of-the-art dentist office is equipped with everything we need to offer our patients Botox injections to restore volume in the face.
Will insurance cover Botox treatments?
It varies depending on why you’re getting Botox. Insurance may cover at least a portion of the treatment if there are health reasons, like TMJ or bruxism. However, insurance likely won’t cover the treatment if it’s solely for cosmetic purposes. We’ll help you work with your insurance company to determine coverage. Our office also offers third-party financing so you can get the desired treatment.
Are there side effects of Botox?
As with any medical treatment, there are some side effects. The most common are bruising, swelling, and redness at the injection site. Some less common reactions include flu-like symptoms and headaches. Severe reactions are rare, but if you experience severe pain, swelling, or symptoms that last more than a few days, call our office immediately.