At Whole Dental Wellness, we're proud to provide our patients with comprehensive dental care in addition to select aesthetic services, such as Botox.

What Is Botox?

Botox is an injectable treatment that is most commonly used for aesthetic purposes but also offers some medical benefits in certain treatment applications.  

Botox injections are injections that contain a purified, medical-grade form of botulinum toxin - the same toxin that comes from the botulism bacterium and causes food poisoning.  

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How Does Botox Work?

Botox injections are strategically placed in certain muscle groups. The toxin blocks the nerve cells from releasing neurotransmitters which prevents the treated muscles from contracting. In other words, these small groups of muscles are temporarily paralyzed by Botox injections.

Blocking the nerves in the muscles prevents them from contracting so that the skin remains relaxed. This allows wrinkles like smile lines, crow's feet, and frown lines to smooth out. The relaxation of targeted muscle groups also helps to treat muscle spasms and muscle tension in the treated areas.

The Benefits of Botox: Botox Treatment Applications

Relax Wrinkles and Take Years off of Your Appearance

Botox injections are most commonly used for cosmetic purposes to reduce wrinkles and expression lines with the goal of creating a more youthful appearance. Botox injections most effectively address wrinkles and fine lines located in the upper areas of the face, but they can be used to ease wrinkles in the lower portion of the face, as well.  

Botox is commonly used to eliminate and reduce the appearance of:

• Forehead Lines (Worry Lines) - Horizontal lines that form across the forehead

• Bunny Lines - Horizontal lines running over the bridge of the nose

• Frown Lines (11s or Glabellar Lines) - Vertical lines that form between the eyebrows

• Crow's Feet (Smile Lines) - Lines that form at the outer edges of the eyes when squinting, laughing, or smiling

• Perioral Lines (Lipstick Lines) - Vertical wrinkles that form above the upper lip

• Smoker's Lines - Vertical lines that form above the upper lip that form as a result of smoking, drinking from straws, or repeatedly pursing the lips

Additional Botox Treatment Applications

Thanks to its muscle-relaxing abilities, Botox is also commonly used to address medical issues such as:

• Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)

• Bruxism (clenching jaws and grinding teeth)

• Tension headaches

• Migraine headaches

• Facial pain

• Neck spasms

In specific clinical settings, Botox can also be used to alleviate headaches, manage TMJ symptoms, and enhance smile aesthetics.

The Botox Procedure: What to Expect When Getting Botox

The Procedure

The Botox procedure is fast, lasting only about 10 to 15 minutes. We begin by disinfecting the treatment area and applying a numbing agent if needed. We then inject the Botox into precise locations in the targeted treatment areas using small needles.

Potential Side Effects

After treatment, patients might notice small red spots of irritation at the injection sites, but these will disappear after a few hours. Other normal side effects include mild bruising, swelling, general redness, headache, neck pain, or flu-like symptoms. These are typically mild and go away within a few hours of treatment. Our doctor will provide you with a list of aftercare instructions and talk with you about any signs of potential complications to look out for.  

Aftercare

Patients can usually resume their normal activities and return to work after a Botox treatment. We advise patients to:

• Avoid rubbing or irritating the treatment area for at least 12 hours after treatment.

• Stay propped up or upright after Botox injections will help to minimize swelling.  

• Avoid sun exposure for one to two days after treatment (including outdoor sun and tanning beds).

• Avoid heat exposure for one to two days after treatment (including hot tubs, saunas, hot showers, and hot baths).

If you notice any unusual or severe side effects or symptoms after treatment, seek emergency care right away.  

Treatment Results

Treatment results from Botox do not appear immediately because the muscles and skin need time to relax and smooth out. Most patients begin to notice their wrinkles gradually soften throughout the two or three days following treatments.

How Long Do Botox Treatments Last?

The effects of Botox injections are not permanent, meaning that the body will eventually restore full muscle function to the treated areas. The effects of Botox last a different amount of time in different people.

On average, treatments last three to four months. However, some patients experience the effects of Botox for up to about six months, while others see the effects wear off after only a couple of months.

Once the effects of the Botox have worn off, the muscles will resume contracting normally and wrinkles or other issues will return. At this time, a patient can choose to receive additional, ongoing Botox treatments to continue enjoying the benefits of Botox's cosmetic or medical effects.

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Find Out If Botox Is Right for You: Request a Consultation at Whole Dental Wellness

Whether you're suffering from migraine and tension headaches, have bruxism, or simply wish to refresh and revitalize your appearance, then Botox might be the right treatment for you. During a Botox consultation appointment, our aesthetic treatment specialist can talk with you about your concerns and symptoms and help you determine whether Botox is the right solution.  

To learn more about Botox treatments or to request a consultation, we welcome you to contact Whole Dental Wellness in Roseville and Birmingham, MI today.

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