BOTOX

Botox is a material that is made from a special bacterium in a sterilized laboratory conditions and used in esthetical applications, face wrinkles and muscle systems. Its prevalence is increasing along with the advancements in medicine and there is no side effect to Botox. It is being used in many areas of dentistry.

Botox systematically doesn’t affect the entire body or the muscles. It only affects the localized area it is applied to. It blocks the communication of the nerve endings it has been applied to. It doesn’t damage muscle tissue. Basically, it relieves the muscles from muscle contractions and spasms. The effect of Botox lasts for approximately 4-6 months. It is metabolized by the body and its effect vanishes after the end of its duration. The need for it might be removed for the muscles after being applied regularly for a long time.

The 2 most common usages are; removing the effects of teeth grinning(Bruxism) and solving the problem of Gummy Smile appearance in patients with high gum visibility. In the right conditions, if used by experts on the mouth and surrounding area ideal results are achieved.

Today we observe bruxism related complaints from as many as half of the people. In children this ratio is %15. It can develop from various reasons. The most common reason that we encounter is daily stress along with depression, anxiety, mineral and vitamin deficiency, some medicine and inappropriate dental relations(closing) are other reasons for teeth grinning. Generally, the person who is grinning his teeth is unaware of this and this keeps on for years. Since this occurs during sleep at night the person keeps being unaware and if doesn’t get warned by someone, he won’t be able to notice it for a very long time. Symptoms vary; as the process develops ears, head and headaches might occur, in fact shortage in mouth opening and difficulty opening the mouth can be observed. Treatment should be planned with as little delay as possible before irreversible problems occur.

Jaw ache
Earache
Headache
Difficulty opening jaw or unable to open jaw wide
Fatigue in chewing muscles
Abrasion in teeth, thinning of tooth enamel and related sensitivity
Cracks and breaks on the tooth
Reduction of vertical length in teeth due to abrasion
Problems related to applied dental treatments
Expansion of muscles due to pressure and transition to oval face shape
Some of the problems that can occur due to teeth grinning are mentioned here, as it progresses bigger problems can come up thus an intervention must be done as soon as possible.

It is the most appropriate option when we cannot gain enough results from plaque applications. Botox is applied to the muscles responsible for closing the jaw, blocking neural communication thus preventing teeth grinning. Jaw movements won’t get blocked. This application does not work by harming muscle tissue instead it only blocks the neural communication of the muscle temporarily. During this process if the causes of the problems are removed or if its discovered that the cause of the grinning is psychological than after approximately 6 months additional injections won’t be necessary. If the issue persists than Botox application might be needed to used again. Here the reason of Botox injection is to remove the predicted damage on joint and jaw.

Application locations are planned.
Using local anesthesia surface wide numbness is achieved which is enough for painless injection.
Application approximately takes 5-10 minutes.
Patients can be called for making controls after 10-15 days.
Additional dosage is given to people who were resistant to previous one. Application session does not have an impact on daily life and the person can keep on their routine.