Botox® is a natural, purified protein that is used in dentistry to treat:
- Headaches
- Chronic migraines
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
- Temporomandibular disorder (TMD, jaw joint pain)
- “Gummy smiles”
- Fine lines and wrinkles
In its therapeutic application, studies show that Botox® prevents, on average, 8-9 headache and migraine days per month. For adults with chronic migraine, it blocks 15 or more headache days a month. Botox® has been shown to offer patients relief from clenching, grinding and muscular pain from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
In its cosmetic application, it creates a smooth, relaxed and youthful look by reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
How scheduling and treatment works
How scheduling and treatment works
- Contact our office for scheduling
- New patients and patients of record will schedule a consultation to review your concerns, symptoms and medical history.
- After the exam, we will determine which areas will benefit the most from Botox® injections, present you with a treatment plan, recommend any alternative treatments and review the costs.
- Treatment/injection can take place the same day as your consultation or scheduled at a future date. It will take 3-10 minutes and you will begin to see results in 3-8 days.
It is administered via small injections into the muscle to block the nerve impulses that contract the muscle. It is simple, quick (3-5 minutes), minimally invasive and delivers dramatic results with little downtime.
There is no recovery or downtime. Some mild bruising may occur but should fade quickly. There are no/minimal skin blemishes after treatment so you can return to work and play immediately.
It is not permanent and there are no permanent side effects. There may be temporary eyelid or brow droop (<1% of cases) which may be able to be treated with a prescription eyedrop. There can be temporary, mild bruising.
The effects are usually seen in about 3-10 days after treatment with the full effect being seen at about 2 weeks. If it’s your first time receiving Botox® treatment, we’ll generally see you 10-14 days after the first visit to assess results, adjust future dosage and do any recommended or requested “touch up” injections. The total duration of effectiveness is about 3-4 months at which point in time re-treatment is recommended to maintain the results.
Some medical insurances cover Botox® for chronic migraines. We do not bill medical although you are welcome to submit a medical claim independently. At this time, dental insurance does not cover this treatment although it never hurts to inquire from your dental insurance. Please be aware that alternative treatment to Botox®, or to be used in conjunction with Botox®, may be nighttime mouthguard use to reduce the stress and strain on your teeth, muscles and jaw joints that lead to symptoms such as headaches, migraines, tooth pain and head and neck muscle tension. Please talk to our office about this alternative treatment.
Many different factors will affect how many units of Botox® you will require. Some, but not all, the factors are age (younger requires less), lighter skin (requires less), females (require less while males have more muscle mass and require more), how long you have been receiving Botox® (over time the muscle can weaken requiring less) and the severity of your symptoms. Please note that the estimates below are rough estimates based on the average male or female patient and cost per unit of Botox®. Please schedule a consultation for a more accurate estimate so we may develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Treating chronic migraines typically uses 70-160 units. Treatment may cost between $910-$2080.
Treating TMD or bruxism typically uses 50-120 units. Treatment may cost between $650-$1560.
