BOTOX has been used to address wrinkles and other cosmetic issues for decades, and you have probably seen its results in the faces of many celebrities, media personalities, and even people you know without even realizing it. However, you may not be aware of how this versatile treatment can be used to treat a number of health problems. Here’s a brief guide to how your dentist can use BOTOX to improve not just your appearance but also your quality of life.
BOTOX May Reduce Chronic Migraines
People with chronic migraines suffer from severe headaches for at least fifteen days a month for three months. This recurring pain can make it difficult to function in your daily life, but some research shows that BOTOX injections can reduce the pain and inflammation caused by migraines as well as their severity and frequency. This may be because the treatment stops the release of neurotransmitters related to pain and relaxes the muscles in the head so they do not contract so stressfully.
While more research is needed to properly confirm these effects, your dentist may prescribe a course of thirty-one to thirty-nine small injections, with a few of them being administered every twelve weeks or so.
BOTOX Can Help Treat TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders are common oral health problems caused by stress, inflammation, or imbalances in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which acts as the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. This joint is quite complex, and it may be forced out of alignment due to factors such as teeth grinding. BOTOX can be used to temporarily inhibit the mobility of a few targeted muscles in the jaw, which can reduce the frequency and severity of the patient’s teeth grinding as well as the stress sustained by the TMJ.
While BOTOX can produce amazing cosmetic and overall health results, it is not a suitable treatment for everyone. After a brief consultation, your dentist will be able to determine if you can safely benefit from BOTOX.
About the Author
Dr. Ben Wolfe earned his dental degree at Oregon Health Sciences University and has since refined his skills through continuing education coursework at every opportunity. He is an Invisalign expert and has completed state-of-the-art training in dental implants, which he is equipped to place at his offices in Cedar Mill and Hillsboro. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as BOTOX services. To schedule your BOTOX consultation, contact him online.