Tag Archives: botox

Uses of Botox– Not Just for Anti Aging Anymore

Uses of Botox include much more than just cosmetic applications

Uses of Botox include much more than just cosmetic applications

Most of us hear the word Botox and think of cosmetic enhancements or anti-wrinkle treatments, but the fact of the matter is, this serum is used for so much more. Botox injections are actually used by oral surgeons to treat facial pain, migraines, bruxism, and even TMJ symptoms, and oftentimes with great success. As it turns out, the uses of Botox outside of smoothing wrinkles are many.

Botox for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, a nerve that carries sensation from the face to the brain. People who suffer from this condition deal with sometimes very severe facial pain caused by even the mildest forms of stimulation such as brushing your teeth or applying makeup.

Symptoms include episodes of severe, shooting, or stabbing pain that can feel like an electric shock, lasting from a few seconds to several minutes at a time. These bouts of pain occur in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve such as the cheeks, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, and sometimes even the eyes and forehead. This pain can be treated and minimized with Botox injections.

Botox for Migraine Treatment

Uses of Botox also include migraine relief

Botox is also sometimes used to treat chronic migraine headaches. The Botox is injected around pain fibers involved in headaches, and enters the nerve endings helping to block the release of the chemicals involved in the transmission of pain. In this application, the drug works to prevent migraine headaches before they start, but that said, it can take time to become effective. In other words, patients often see the effects after several treatments. One treatment can last up to 10 or 12 weeks, sometimes reducing migraines dramatically.

TMJ Improvement with Botox

TMJ disorders come with pain or tenderness of the jaw, pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints, ear aches, difficulty or pain with chewing, locking joints making it hard to open or close the mouth, and facial pain. These symptoms can also be minimized with the use of Botox injections.

Your oral surgeon can inject Botox into your forehead, temple, and jaw muscles, as well as other areas depending on your specific symptoms. Some improvement may be noted within a day or two, but it can generally take several days for patients to note considerable relief.

Though the FDA has approved Botox use for migraine treatment, they have not yet for TMJ, so you may have to pay out of pocket for these services through your Chattanooga oral surgery office. Our team at Ocoee is happy to help figure out what your particular insurance provider will cover in the way of treatments.

If you experience facial pain from any of the mentioned conditions from bruxism to migraines to TMJ pain, contact our office today to discuss potential treatments. We’re here to help you get the relief you’re looking for!

Botox® for Fine Lines, Wrinkles, and Facial Pain

Botox for facial pain

Some may find it surprising that dental professionals are using Botox® not only for cosmetic purposes but also for treating facial pain. This popular product, when injected just below the skin, temporarily limits movement in facial muscles, reducing muscle spasms in and around the neck and eyes. An estimated 16% of North American dentists now use Botulinum toxin in their practices for both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes.

Are you a teeth grinder? Maybe you clench your jaw or experience chronic TMJ pain? Well, Botox® injections may be just the thing to help alleviate these ails. It works as a muscle relaxant, and can actually last for as long as 3 to 4 months. Here at Ocoee Oral Surgery, we recognize the potential for this product to really improve quality of life for our Cleveland area patients.

Another application for this treatment is migraines. Those who experience these intense and sometimes debilitating headaches know that when one hits, they would try almost anything to make it stop. In this case, Botox® injections may be exactly what the doctor (ahem, dentist) ordered.

According to the Botox® official treatment site, this treatment was the first FDA-approved preventative Chronic Migraine treatment, preventing these monstrous headaches before they even start. Here are the facts: 3 million Botox® treatments have been administered to over 500,000 patients with Chronic Migraines since the FDA approval in 2010. One treatment session in your dentist’s office about every 12 weeks can dramatically decrease the effects of migraines. Injections only take about 15 minutes to administer, 3 to 5 days to take full effect and can provide weeks and weeks of pain relief.

Whether you seek to reduce the appearance of aging or help to manage pain from headaches, TMJ disorders, or excessive teeth grinding/bruxism, your providers at Cleveland, TN’s Ocoee Oral Surgery are here to help. Get in touch today with any questions about how the use of Botox® can deliver on all these fronts. We would love for you to better get to know our surgeons, as well as take a look at what some of our patients have to say about their experiences with us. And reach out to set up a consultation with our incredible staff today!

Dermal Fillers vs Botox

dermal fillers vs botox cleveland tn

dermal fillers vs botox cleveland tnDid you know? After the age of twenty, we produce one percent less collagen in the skin with every passing year. As a result, the skin often loses volume and becomes thinner with age, which creates those pesky fine lines and wrinkles. While products and anti-aging creams provide vitamins and moisture to the skin, they will not reverse the natural effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. However, cosmetic treatments, such as Botox and dermal fillers can improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while restoring a healthy complexion.

What is Botox?

This is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure which temporarily creates lift while also reducing facial wrinkles, frown lines, smile lines and other facial creases.

  • How it works: Botox will essentially freeze the facial muscles by blocking wrinkle inducing muscle movement with neurotoxins, giving the skin a rejuvenated, youthful appearance.
  • Uses: While Botox offers a bevy of cosmetic benefits, the injections can also be greatly effective in reducing extreme headaches, muscle spasms, overactive sweat and prostate gland. (I am unclear on how the prostate gland ties in here- does it reduce the size?)

For most, the temporary effects of Botox often lasts for only 3-4 months, and can often take several days to a week to see end results. While lines and wrinkles should improve, Botox may not remove all facial imperfection.

What are Dermal Fillers?

This is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that can improve the appearance of deep lines resulting in a smooth, more youthful facial appearance.

  • How it works: This natural or synthetic injectable is used to fill trouble spots with collagen. This reduces facial lines by restoring lost volume and fullness in areas of the face, beyond what skincare products can do.
  • Uses: A boost of collagen can enhance a number of things including: plump thinning lips, non-surgical chin augmentation, augment shallow temples and contours, soften facial and neck creases, improve the appearance of acne scars, and so many more!

With immediate results, lines and wrinkles should instantly improve. For most, the longer-lasting effect of dermal fillers can last from 3 months to two years.

 

The difference?

Botox is best if you wish to isolate dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles often occur in motion or during expression. Most commonly, they lie on the forehead and around the eyebrows. Dermal fillers are ideal for augmenting static wrinkles that are visible when relaxed. Most commonly around the cheek bones or temples.

 

Knowing the difference between Botox and dermal fillers, how they work, and their effects is critical before seeking treatment. Since these injections differs, many people choose to get both Botox and dermal fillers. This effective combination often produces a bright, lifted, and more youthful complexion.

If you are considering cosmetic injections in Cleveland, TN look no further than Ocoee Oral Surgery. Call us to schedule your next cosmetic consultation today!