Botulinum toxin, also known as Botox, is known by many people as a cosmetic treatment to improve facial esthetics. However, BOTOX® injections are also used by dentists as a therapeutic treatment to alleviate myofascial pain. Dr. Tina Vu-Heaton offers comprehensive treatments for myofascial pain, TMJ disorder, bruxism, and migraines using BOTOX Cosmetic® injections at our Sumter and Columbia, SC offices.
Therapeutic Benefits
Botox can provide therapeutic relief by relieving myofascial pain, such as TMJ, teeth grinding, and more.
Cosmetic Benefits
BOTOX provides therapeutic and cosmetic benefits in a single treatment.
Non-Surgical Injections
Patients say there is very little pain–facial muscles that are targeted with BOTOX injections are dense.
Slow Down Aging
BOTOX injections can relaxed facial muscles, which may improve mood and overall wellness.
Slow Down Aging
Facial injectable treatments such as BOTOX and fillers are effective alternatives to facial plastic surgery.
Dermal Fillers
Fillers stimulate collagen production to promote a healthier-looking, smoother complexion.
Botox in Dentistry
Dentists use Botox to treat conditions that cause pain and discomfort, as well as provide cosmetic benefits. As a matter of fact, Botox injections for therapeutic purposes will often provide cosmetic improvements. Nothing like reducing discomfort and looking younger!
Dr. Tina Vu-Heaton is a Botox specialist in Columbia and Sumter, SC. Dr. Vu-Heaton is trained by the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE), a world-renown provider in facial esthetics. Dr. Vu-Heaton has provided BOTOX in Columbia, SC. Now, she will be treating patients who may benefit from BOTOX in Sumter, SC.
As a dentist, Dr. Vu-Heaton is extremely knowledgeable in the anatomy of the head and neck area. Not to mention, dentists treat patients with TMJ pain, jaw clenching, tension, and headaches. Oftentimes, the clenching continues unconsciously due to overactive facial muscles.
Benefits of Botox
The benefits of BOTOX injections have a two-pronged benefit. Whether patients are receiving BOTOX for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes, the same muscles are targeted. Consequently, patients will see cosmetic side effects when being treated therapeutically with facial injections. Some of the cosmetic side effects may include:
- Smoothing of wrinkles will occur at the site of injection, and
- The jawline may become slimmer when injecting into the masseter muscles.
On the other hand, patients receiving BOTOX in Columbia and Sumter for cosmetic treatments often report therapeutic benefits, such as a more relaxed face. As a result, relaxed facial muscles may improve mood and overall wellness. Additionally, patients who receive botulinum toxin injections to treat forehead lines often report improved sleep, fewer headaches, and a generally happier mood.
Botox For TMJ Disorder
TMJ Disorder is a condition that is caused by improper function of the jaw joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. The improper function affects the surrounding facial muscles as well. Often, patients experience migraine headaches resulting from temporomandibular joint disorders. Common signs of TMJ disorders include flattened tooth surfaces due to jaw clenching and grinding. Additionally, facial muscles, such as the masseter muscle may be prominent and bulging, the jaw may click when opening and closing.
Patients who have suffered from TMJ have likely tried conservative treatment options, such as a nightguard, massage therapy, adjustments, and more. If other conservative treatments haven’t worked, contact a dentist authorized and trained to provide botulinum toxin therapy.
Botox For Bruxism
Bruxism, otherwise known as teeth grinding and jaw clenching can occur throughout the day and night. Typically, teeth grinding is unconscious behavior. While it may be easier to control Bruxism while awake, it is nearly impossible to control at night.
Often, patients find conservative treatments such as nightguards to be cumbersome. The majority of the solutions treat the symptom, not the cause of grinding your teeth. Generally, the cause of jaw clenching and grinding is the overactive facial muscles.
Simply put, due to overactive facial muscles (masseter and temporalis muscles), jaw clenching continues unconsciously. Botox injections into the overactive muscles can reduce the tension in jaw muscles. In turn, the muscle will no longer generate the force to clench and grind as heavily. Patients will experience relief from jaw pain causing discomfort. Because unconscious teeth grinding is harder to control at night, patients will often get a better night’s sleep.
Botox and Fillers
BOTOX and dermal fillers are the two most popular types of nonsurgical injectables used for cosmetic procedures performed by dentists. Both BOTOX and dermal fillers can reduce static wrinkles, but in different ways.
BOTOX Cosmetic injections create a temporary paralysis of the underlying muscle that causes the dynamic wrinkle to form. Whereas, dermal fillers replace lost volume caused by static wrinkles. Fillers stimulate collagen production to promote a healthier-looking, smoother complexion. Also, dermal fillers can be used to enhance thin lips or increase volume in the cheeks to intensify the natural contours of the face.
Reduce Signs of Aging
Your skin is the most significant sign of aging. Facial injectable treatments such as dermal fillers are an effective alternative to facial plastic surgery. With dermal fillers, now offered in Columbia and Sumter, SC, wrinkles, age lines, laugh lines, and other areas of the face can be filled in and revitalized.
If you are looking to correct minor imperfections, fill in wrinkles around the mouth, frown lines, or just reduce the signs of aging, dermal fillers may be the answer. Dr. Vu-Heaton can inject fillers to increase the volume beneath the skin. In turn, you will see a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. Fillers are a convenient way to maintain your appearance with minimal effort.
Are Botox Injections Painful?
Botox injections are not painful. Most patients describe a botulinum toxin injection to feel similar to a flu shot. The facial muscles that are targeted with botulinum toxin injections are dense.