Botox at the Dentist!?
Botox Cosmetic is a prescription medication injected strategically into specific facial muscles to temporarily soften the appearance of moderate to severe forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and frown lines between the eyebrows.
This minimally invasive facial rejuvenation treatment has become extremely popular and is offered at many types of businesses that cater to physical aesthetics – from dermatologists and plastic surgeons to medical, facial and nail spas – and increasingly in dental practices.
Some folks wonder why dentists would consider adding Botox to their service mix. There are many answers to that question, and Dr. Hardy and Dr. Wilson at Cornerstone Dentistry is here to discuss a few of them with you.
Why Get Botox at the Dentist?
The use of Botox has become increasingly prevalent for medical reasons as well as cosmetic ones, so different types of healthcare practitioners offer Botox as a treatment for maladies ranging from migraines to bladder issues. Dentists and oral surgeons are experts in musculature and facial anatomy, they specialize in the treatment of the face, jaw, head, neck, and all corresponding muscles in those regions, and are highly skilled at administering injections in those areas.
Many dentists now offer smile makeovers – treatment packages that combine cosmetic dentistry procedures like bonding, whitening, and veneers – and have found that Botox is a welcome addition to these smile design treatment plans for patients looking to improve their facial appearance. If your smile could use a pick-me-up, Botox offers a freshly revitalized face as the perfect finishing touch to frame your new pearly whites.
From a treatment planning viewpoint, a dentist should consider that smile makeover patients could have facial aesthetic procedures such as Botox performed elsewhere and that those procedures have the potential for an adverse effect on the dental outcome if not performed by the same practitioner. One way to prevent this is for dentists to offer those same procedures, allowing smile makeover patients the option to receive those treatments in conjunction with their dental work. If the procedures are all scheduled around each other by the same professional, there is less room for error, more patient convenience, and the dentist has more control over the smile makeover result.
Worried About Dental Botox?
The dental licensing board in each state has different educational requirements for dentists and oral surgeons to provide Botox. The majority of states do not permit general dentists to inject Botox, requiring additional specialty training and certification (such as board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the state dentistry is being practiced). Check with the licensing board in your state to learn what is permitted where you live if you have any reservations regarding Botox at the dentist.
As the saying goes – “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” – and Cornerstone Dentistry agrees. Healthy teeth and gums are the most important part of any beautiful smile, but if you are ready to explore options for a full smile makeover or smile design, Cornerstone Dentistry would love to speak with you. We can help you take years off your appearance for a more youthful, radiant glow that defies the natural aging process. Contact us today to talk about your options!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
