Mar
Did you know you can get Botox injections in the Winnetka, Illinois, area by visiting a dentist? It’s true! Today, dentists like Dr. Evelyn Kidonakis and the team at Smile Today Dental are becoming more available sources for this treatment. While you may have thought you needed to see a local cosmetic surgeon for these treatments, dentists are actually an excellent source for administering these treatments.
Botox, or Botulinum toxin, is a popular cosmetic treatment for fine lines and wrinkles. Botox has also found its way into the world of dentistry in recent years due to its ability to treat several dental issues, including temporomandibular joint disorders. However, because Botox works by paralyzing muscles in the face, you may wonder if it is safe. The good news is that Botox is completely safe and has proven to be incredibly effective for treating both cosmetic and dental issues.
You likely already know how great Botox works in eliminating fine lines and wrinkles from the face. But did you know that Botox is becoming increasingly popular in dentistry due to its ability to relax facial muscles and reduce associated pain? Botox injections are a quick and simple way to relax facial muscles with results that last many months. A great example of how this can help dentists treat patients is by relaxing the muscles that cause dental patients to chronically grind their teeth at night. When the muscles that involuntarily cause you to grind your teeth become relaxed, you could see significant improvement in your symptoms quickly after receiving your first Botox injection.
One of the most common reasons dentists are using Botox injections is to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ disorders can often be the result of different factors, which include excessive stress, chronic teeth grinding (bruxism), and physical trauma to the jaw area. A Botox injection can relax or even temporarily paralyze the facial muscles, which create this pain and discomfort. Once the muscles are relaxed, the severity of the pain and other negative symptoms associated with TMJ disorders will improve and lead to an improvement in life.
Botox injections can also be utilized to treat several other uncomfortable facial conditions, including chronic migraines and trigeminal neuralgia. For cases like these, a Botox injection can block certain chemicals from being released, which are the cause of inflammation and pain.
Now, let’s revisit the question posed at the beginning of this blog – Is Botox safe? The answer to this is an emphatic yes. However, this is only true if you are receiving Botox treatment from a qualified dental professional with the proper training to administer the treatment. Dentists are an excellent option for Botox treatment because they often have an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy and can determine the best areas to use for injection sites.
If you want to learn more about Botox and are in the Winnetka, Illinois, area, you can contact Dr. Kidonakis and our team here at Smile Today Dental.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have and set up a consultation to find out if you are a good candidate for treatment. You can reach our office by calling 847-440-3331.
Dr. Evelyn Kidonakis has been treating patients for over 30 years. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago College and its School of Dentistry and the Levin, Crabtree, and Practice Growth Institute Programs. She is educated and has hands-on training in areas such as direct cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers and Lumineers, Invisalign orthodontics, occlusion, and facially-generated treatment planning. Dr. Kidonakis is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Dr. Jinyoung “Anny” Yoo has studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, and New York University Langone Dental Medicine in San Diego, CA. She has received hands-on training in Botulinum toxin and training in Invisalign orthodontics. Dr. Yoo holds membership in the ADA, Chicago Dental Society, and Illinois State Dental Society and a Fellowship in the AGD.