The most common uses for Botox is smoothing of the facial wrinkles of the forehead, between the eyes (glabellar region) and around the corners of the eyes (crow's feet). These are the most common cosmetic uses that have put Botox on the esthetic map.

Dental Uses For Botox

Now that approximately 7% to 8% of dentists (and growing) in North America are now providing Botox treatment to patients for cosmetic treatment, there are other innovative uses being found for Botox in dentistry. Most dentists are not aware of the substantial benefits that Botox has as an adjunctive therapy in dental and cosmetic treatment. Botox has useful clinical uses as an adjunct in TMJ and bruxism cases, even more so for patients with moderate chronic temporomandibular joint and facial pain. Botox is a muscle relaxer and when given in typically half the dosage used for facial wrinkle smoothing treatment, it can greatly reduce the intensity of the muscle contractions that contribute to TMJ and facial pain and give the patient significant relief. We have all had TMJ patients that have gotten the bruxism appliances, have done full mouth reconstructions, and are still at wits end at trying to find the right answer that will help them with their facial pain. Botox can play a very important role in reducing or eliminating their facial pain.