Do you or someone you know suffer from migraine or tension
headaches? Have you experienced TMJ
related facial pain? Depending on the
type of headache and facial pain, there is now a solution your dentist can provide!
Botox/Xeomin
Injections
While typically
associated with facial esthetics, botulinum toxin (Botox®) and incobotulinumtoxinA
(Xeomin®) have both become important in their
clinical uses for treatment of facial pain and teeth grinding. Several studies have shown patients who
received these injections experienced significant improvement in pain level,
function, ability to open their mouth and levels of tenderness to the touch. At Beachside Dental, Dr.
Savidan can determine if you are a candidate for this treatment.
What is Botox/Xeomin and How Does It Work?
Botox® is the trade name for botulinum toxin, a neurotoxin in the form of
a purified protein. Xeomin® is made
of a protein purified from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
The mechanism of action for these products is really quite simple; botulinum
toxins block nerve activity in the muscles, causing a temporary reduction in
muscle activity. As a result, the action
of the muscles is greatly decreased, reducing wrinkles or lines on
your face as well as reducing the pain you may be suffering from related to the
TMJ or other muscles.
What Areas of the Face Are Treated?
The areas typically treated with botulinum toxins are the forehead,
between the eyes (glabellar region), around the corners of the eyes (crow’s
feet), around the lips (smokers lines or gummy smiles) and the masseter
muscle located by the jawline.
What To Expect?
Receiving botulinum toxin takes only a few minutes and there’s no need
for anesthesia or down time. The injections are made using a very fine needle
and are virtually painless.
The esthetic results of botulinum toxin injections include decreased
wrinkles and lines in your face and a slimming result along the jawline. The
dental therapeutic benefits are described above and pertain to the decreased
activity of problematic muscles.
Generally, results are noticed within two to ten days. To reduce the
possibility of bruising/swelling, it is recommended to avoid alcohol for at
least 24 hours and aspirin/anti-inflammatory medications for a period of two
weeks prior to the procedure. As always, consult your physician before stopping
any medications. The effects of
botulinum toxins last approximately three to four months, at which time the
patient will require re-treatment. Over
time, overall muscle activity will decrease meaning that the results of the
injections are cumulative as the muscles become trained to relax, requiring less frequent injections.
To achieve a
successful outcome, it is important for your dentist to use the correct
injection technique, as well as follow the appropriate dosage guidelines.
Dr. Savidan is a certified member of the
American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) and is credentialed to perform
botulinum toxin injections for purposes of dental therapeutics.
