Botox at the Dentist?

Next time you visit your dentist for a routine teeth cleaning, you might be able to zap a few wrinkles, too. That's right-- Botox Cosmetic® may soon be available in dental offices. Botox is an injectable treatment that relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles for skin that's less wrinkled, more plump, and altogether younger-looking. In addition to the traditional cosmetic purpose of Botox, it can also be used to treat medical conditions like excessive sweating and migraine headaches.

Many dentists entered the world of Botox after complaints from their patients regarding Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, or TJD. TJD is a common disorder that causes pain and soreness throughout the jaw area. Although TJD falls a little out of the routine dental sphere of cleaning and cavities, so many patients were bringing it up to their dentists that a market was created.

“Who better to give a painless injection than a dentist?” asked Dr. Dennis Thornley, a Michigan dentist who has trained in the procedures and plans to began using them soon at his practice.

Since dentists already have a background in medicine, they can be trained to use Botox during a weekend-long class offered by the American Academy of Facial Aesthetics. That's what Dr. Thornley did, and he looks forward to being able to relieve his TJD patients of pain soon.

Of course, it'd be silly to think that these dentists will only use their Botox skills for medical reasons. They can make a lot of extra cash on cosmetic Botox, and why not? The dentist may just become the one-stop shop for dental care as well as wrinkle fixes.

“I thought it would be a nice adjunct to the practice,” said Dr. Thornley. “There are many applications and additionally, since Botox generally lasts from four to six months, it’s right on schedule to be given during a patient’s regular dental exam.”

The combination of dental and skincare services is definitely convenient. It will save people who need multiple procedures the hassle of scheduling two appointments and having to visit two different offices. Plus, it's likely that a dentist will be a little more well-versed in TJD, since they come across it on a regular basis. Plastic surgeons and aesthetic specialists deal less with medical issues and more with cosmetic-related ones. But that brings up another question: how qualified are dentists at giving out Botox injections all over the face? Can the ins and outs of cosmetic Botox really be taught over one weekend? Since the idea of Botox at the dentist is so new, it's currently up to the patients' discretion.

The addition of Botox in the dentist's office may also open the door to an untapped clientele. People who may never step foot into a plastic surgeon's office will definitely visit a dentist-- after all, it's mandatory. They may find the advice or expertise of their friendly family dentist a bit more trustworthy than that of a plastic surgeon.

If you'd like to schedule a free consultation regarding Botox, contact us and we'll set you up with a Botox specialist in your area.