Botox
Injectable Neuromodulators
Anti-wrinkle Neurotoxins like Botox
What is a Neurotoxin?
Botulin toxin-A is a purified form of botulism bacteria that causes muscle paralysis. This protein was isolated and stripped of the rest of the harmful bacterial products over 40 years ago to be used for medicinal purposes. First FDA approval for Botox usage was 1989 for eye muscle spasms and since they were treating near the eye they noticed that their patients had a positive side effect of reduction of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes. Since then there have been many brands including Botox, Xeomin, Dysport and Jeveau which all are all the same Botulin Toxin-A with slightly different protein structures attached (and different price points).
How does it work?
Botox and their competitors all work the same way. They bind to the neuron that signals the muscle to contract; preventing it from causing a contraction. While the binding is permanent, your muscle recovers in 3-6 months by creating new connections. In the meantime the muscle isn’t working so it gets less bulky.
What else can Neurotoxins do?
Neurotoxins for cosmetic use are only meant to target ‘”dynamic” wrinkles made during the day by facial movements. Deep, etched lines may be lessened but will not go away with just Botox. However, understanding muscle attachment and physiology allows application of Botox for management of a wide array of esthetic concerns. By knowing how to selectively target and inhibit specific muscles you can treat gummy smile, slim the jaw line, lessen jowls, stop a resting frown and more.
Therapeutic uses of Botox work the same way but with a different goal. Constant muscle tension or over contraction can pull on attachment areas causing inflammation, mis alignment and ultimately pain in that area or even refer it to a nearby area. Used alone or combined with Tigger point injections and dry needling, you can use neurotoxins to locate these areas get them to release the contraction and reduce that areas ability to pull so hard. This can treat orofacial pain of the from painful bruxism, tension headaches, pain from the shoulders up.
Why should I choose a Dentist to treat me?
Dentists, in general, are experts in head and neck anatomy, with their entire career focused on treating these areas. We give more injections daily than any other medical profession. We are scientifically trained is facial esthetics, symmetry; detecting discrepancies less than one millimeter. We are literal experts on facial balance and appearance with a doctorates’ degree worth of scientific background in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, pathology, pharmacology and physics. In addition, most dentists have artistic attributes that drew them to the profession and were put on the spot when they were tested on their perceptual ability to predict the outcome very difficult 3D manipulation tasks by looking at one image.
If you are looking for natural beauty aesthetic enhancement and not over done, trendy results that you will
regret, this is the office for you. We want you to hear, “you look really good! Did you something different
with your hair?” Not, “Oh WOW! You look frozen!” or “Where did you get THOSE lips?
What aesthetic concerns can you treat?
Forehead lines, Frown lines, Crows Feet, Bunny Lines, Square Jaw, Jowls, Nasal flaring, Gummy Smile, Upper lip curl, Smoker or Straw lines, Downturned corners of the mouth, Chin Dimpling, Downturned nasal tip
What therapeutic concerns can we help with?
Painful Teeth Grinding, Fracturing teeth or excessive wear, Muscular jaw pain, Occipital pain or tightness, Trapezius pain or knots
How do I know if I am a candidate for Botox?
It is easier to list who is not a candidate for Botox.
Pregnant and nursing has not been studied or proven safe so you will need to wait until you are not.
Fever, chills or vaccine in the last two weeks.
A major event coming in the next few weeks like wedding or graduation.
If you have had a full surgical face lift or major facial injury.
If you have, the plastic surgeon may be a better option for you.
If you have an Autoimmune disease that effects your muscle tone or activity like ALS or Scleroderma.
Immune-compromised individuals are a case by case basis and may need your treating physician to provide a medical recommendation.
Recent or upcoming major invasive dental procedure or infection.
How Often Can I get Botox?
You should wait at least 3 months between your initial appointment and your next full treatment. Too frequent of treatments can cause immunity or resistance to the Neurotoxin.
Results last 3-6 months. Depending on your personal goals, your optimum recall can range from 3 months to 6-8 months.
How do I prepare for Botox treatment?
Discontinue harsh facial treatments 3-7 days prior to your appointment. Avoid blood thinning vitamins, alcohol and OTC medications for 1-2 weeks prior to your appointment. Discontinue retinols for 5-7days prior to your appointment.
Prescription blood thinning medications should only be discontinued by your treating physician and can be discussed at consultation.
What is the aftercare like?
Avoid rubbing or touching your face. Do not reapply makeup the same day of treatment. Avoid moderate and heavy exercise for 72hrs. Avoid hot showers, sauna, sun bathing, tanning or prolonged sun exposure for 72hrs.
What are the signs that something is wrong?
Results take 10-14 days to take full effect. Muscles can deactivate at different times so that time period can have a slightly different appearance every day within that timeframe.
Events that you should contact the Doctor you saw are flu like symptoms, breathing issues, swelling or severe discoloration. Inability to move eye or eyelid. Bulging masseter.
Events that should be addressed at two week follow up include heavy or dropped forehead, spock- like eyebrow, opposing muscle hyper-contraction, asymmetrical smile…. These can usually be resolved with the addition of a few units at this appointment.
How much will it cost?
Each patient is priced on individual concerns and muscle composition. This is determined at your first appointment, treatment the day of the consultation is available for most patients.
Typical aesthetic neurotoxin appointments range from $300-$600 but varies due to patient desires, muscle bulk and product selected. Botox brand neurotoxin typically comes with the highest cost per unit due to the manufacturer set price due to FDA standardization for therapeutic uses. Xeomin use the same unit scale an is typically priced less than Botox Brand.
Botox manufacture has come up with a clever way to help with the cost of their product to consumers through the Alle app. Patients gain points per service that build for discounts at the register. They also offer periodic flash specials for discounts from $50-150. They have now gone another step offering financing for your visits for Alle accounts through Cherry.
