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BOTOX® Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic is an exciting expansion to the wide range of dental and facial aesthetic treatments offered at Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry. With our dentist’s addition of BOTOX® Cosmetic to patients’ overall Smile Enhancement treatment plan, patients can now receive dental treatment and achieve smoother, younger-looking skin to match their rejuvenated smile. In addition to her training using BOTOX® injections to manage jaw muscle pain and teeth grinding (bruxism), cosmetic dentist Dr. Cathy J. Santone is trained and certified by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) to administer BOTOX® Cosmetic for its most common use today – the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles.

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?

Named for its primary ingredient, botulinum toxin, BOTOX® Cosmetic can help reduce the appearance of dynamic facial wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the muscles in the face responsible for repetitive facial movements. The muscle-relaxing properties of BOTOX® can also be helpful in alleviating pain caused by hyperactive jaw muscles and other symptoms associated with TMJ disorder.

Aesthetic Benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic

BOTOX® Cosmetic can be used on a very broad range of patients to address some of the most common signs of aging. The benefits of this popular injectable can include:

  • Eliminating facial lines and wrinkles
  • Softening the look of crow’s feet
  • Reducing the appearance of frown lines
  • Relaxing the furrows between the eyebrows

Patients should notice results within four to seven days of their treatment, with optimal results in two weeks. Many men and women have BOTOX® treatments performed after their routine dental cleaning appointment, as the injections only take about 15-30 minutes to complete. The results of your BOTOX® treatment will typically last up to three months, and your new younger, rested look can often be easily maintained with regular follow-up treatments.

Why Is BOTOX® Injected for TMJ Disorder?

While BOTOX® is popularly used to soften wrinkles and fine lines, it is also utilized therapeutically by medical professionals to manage TMJ symptoms such as muscle soreness, pain, and headaches. The pain is caused by overactive jaw muscles, which can spread from the temporomandibular joint to the neck and shoulders. By weakening the overactive clenching and grinding muscles, BOTOX® injections prevent these muscles from involuntarily contracting and provide relief for many men and women.

In many cases, temporomandibular disorder—also known as TMD—is the result of pressure on the jaw joints caused by teeth clenching and grinding. When night guard therapy proves ineffective or a night guard cannot be tolerated, BOTOX® can often be an effective pain management tool to break up the cycle of jaw pain felt throughout the day by temporarily preventing overuse of the facial muscles. 
  

BOTOX® Injection Sites 

Depending on your symptoms and concerns, BOTOX® can be injected in several regions of the face: 

Are There Side Effects From Injecting BOTOX®? 

Mild redness and slight bruising may occur after injection, which should resolve naturally. If BOTOX® is not injected by a qualified medical professional, side effects from injecting the product for TMD can include headache, nausea, flu-like symptoms, and temporary eyelid droop. That said, treatment rarely produces side effects when administered by an experienced BOTOX® provider. Our cosmetic dentist has been injecting BOTOX® as a minimally invasive TMJ treatment for over 5 years. Having undergone initial hands-on training from the Dental Academy of Facial Aesthetics with periodic continuing education, Dr. Santone is extremely qualified to inject BOTOX® for both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. 

How Long Does BOTOX® for TMJ Disorder Last?

BOTOX® can provide relief from TMJ symptoms for up to three or four months before the effects begin to fade. If used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, the longevity of the outcome is often the same or slightly longer. In most cases, the results of BOTOX® are more enduring when a patient receives treatment on a regular basis. In addition, with regular Dental Therapeutic BOTOX® treatment, a slenderization of the cheek or jaw muscles will be seen.

How Much Does BOTOX® Cost?

The price of BOTOX® is $13 per unit, with the total cost varying from patient to patient based on how many units are necessary to resolve your concerns. A Dental Therapeutic dose ranges between 40-60 units. Rest assured that a member of our office will provide you with a personalized quote before your treatment. If preferred, we accept outside dental financing from CareCredit®, a leading healthcare lending company that offers qualified patients several low- to no-interest payment plans to choose from based on their budgetary concerns. If you have any questions regarding the price of treatment, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Encinitas Cosmetic Dentistry for more information.  

Additional Frequently Asked Questions About BOTOX® Cosmetic

How long do BOTOX® injections take?

The BOTOX® injection procedure typically takes about 30 minutes or less to complete. With that in mind, please note that the precise length of the procedure may vary based on the number of injection site(s), the number of units injected, and other factors.  

Do BOTOX® injections hurt?

BOTOX® injections are not usually considered painful, especially when we apply a topical anesthetic to the injection site. In addition, the injection is administered using a very thin needle, limiting the opportunity for significant discomfort.

Will my face feel tight after BOTOX® injections?

It is relatively normal to experience a somewhat “tight” or “stiff” feeling in the face immediately following BOTOX® injections. This side effect should not be cause for alarm, and it typically fades within one to two weeks.

How soon will I see results?

Depending on the extent of treatment, as well as the area(s) injected, patients typically begin seeing results about four to seven days after the initial injection(s). The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic should appear in full around two weeks following treatment. Many of our patients choose to come in for “touch-up” injections every three to five months to maintain the results.     

The effects of BOTOX® injections for TMJ disorder may take somewhat longer to become apparent. They are often first noticeable around a week after treatment. The doctor will also review ways to help manage the habit of daytime clenching.

Is there any downtime after BOTOX® injections?

Most patients do not need a period of rest after BOTOX® injections, and go about the rest of their day normally or return to work immediately. The two main restrictions are: don’t touch the injection sites on the face and avoid exercise that will raise your body’s temperature for the rest of the day. Normal activities can resume the following day. That said, the needs of every patient vary. Dr. Santone will provide you with detailed written aftercare instructions during your consultation.

Contact Us

For more information about BOTOX®, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office today.