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Why You Should Go to the Dentist for Your Botox Treatments | Ottawa Dentist

As we age, our facial features begin to wrinkle and sag – it’s the natural progression of life. Many of us try to delay the inevitable and visit their cosmetic surgeon for Botox and/or facial fillers. What many patients don’t know is that you can get this treatment done at the dentist. But why? There are a few reasons to reconsider who is doing your anti-aging treatments.

Firstly, the differences between Botox and facial fillers. Botox is a protein injected into your facial muscles to not affect the muscles themselves, but the nerves that move the muscles. Facial fillers are injections used to replace fat and collagen in the skin.

Dental issues. Believe it or not, Botox and facial fillers help with more than a youthful look. TMJ, teeth grinding (bruxism), and other facial pain can be eased by these types of injections. This is also a way to retrain facial muscles for patients adjusting to dentures or orthodontic treatments. So, while you may think getting these injections is a cosmetic issue, many patients benefit from these injections.

One stop shop. We go to the dentist to improve our smile, because we know they are experts in making our teeth whiter, straighter and healthier. It only seems natural that we seek their help with other issues that have presented themselves around our mouth and face. Because we need muscles to smile, these injections really benefit patients that have issues doing so.

Knowledge is power. While we know that cosmetic surgeons are the ones to go to for aesthetics, dental professionals have a deep, thorough knowledge of facial anatomy and can deliver a quicker, less painful experience, which is a relief for a patient in dental pain.

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When Jaw Pain Becomes an Issue | Ottawa Dentist

When we begin to develop jaw pain, it can be cause for worry. After all, this is  our jawbone – it helps us speak, chew and loads of other essential daily activities. If something is wrong with it and it goes untreated, it can cause issues down the road.

If you find that your jaw is slipping out of joint, you may be developing TMJ disorder. For some patients, the jaw can slip back into place; for others, it needs to be manually popped back into place by a physician. Eventually, this will begin to wear down the tendon, muscles and cartilage. In order to get a proper diagnosis, you will need to get a professional evaluation. This will likely include a CT scan and/or an MRI.

If it is diagnosed that you have developed some form of TMJ disorder, the treatment will depend on the progression that has already taken place. For the milder conditions, prescriptions are given for inflammation and pain. And because TMJ can be caused by stress, exercise and meditation can also help aid in the alleviation of pain. Night guards and hot or cold therapy are also some DIY options that can also help. Botox injection can be used to
relieve pain caused by TMD by relaxing the muscles.

If you appear to have a more acute condition, you may need to have some surgery. TMJ arthroscopy or arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure that can be done as outpatient surgery. The recovery time for this procedure is about a week. A total joint replacement may also be the ultimate treatment. It will require a hospital stay and recovery is close to six weeks. So, if you are beginning to feel some jaw pain, be sure to get it checked as soon as possible.

Schedule your appointment today. Call Dr. Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.urbandentalcentre.com.

Dr. Katia Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.

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Alternative Treatment Options for Bruxism

 

When we don’t get enough quality sleep, it can begin to develop into other health issues because our bodies rest and heal in order to continue running at peak levels. So, if you are waking up with headaches or jaw pains, it is time to make a dental appointment to find out why. Likely, you have developed a sleep issue like bruxism, or teeth grinding. If this is the case, you will be advised to use a night guard while you sleep. This little gadget will keep your teeth from wearing down and causing more issues. But if you feel that the night guard isn’t making enough of a difference, there are other alternative treatment options that you can inquire to your dentist about, such as:

Teeth straightening. Maloclussions, or teeth that are out of alignment causing an overbite or underbite has been known to contribute to bruxism. Wearing braces can help in such cases.

Proper stress management. Bruxism is also likely to be caused by anxiety, so you may want to try out certain methods of relaxation such as meditation. Professional counselling, in severe cases, may also be necessary and useful.

Dietary changes. Stimulants, such as caffeine, have been known to cause teeth grinding, so your dentist might recommend avoiding such beverages. You may also be asked to stay off antidepressants, as they may make bruxism symptoms worse. This is a great time to remind you that during your initial consultation about bruxism, that you be honest with your dentist, especially when it comes to medication, so you can be told if it’s bad for you or be suggested an alternative.

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Getting Botox: At the Dentist? | Ottawa Dentist

It seems everyone is trying to keep their youthful glow these days and will try almost anything to keep it. From fad diets to surgical procedures, everyone is looking for that quick path to the fountain of youth. Because let’s face it – time waits for no man. So, we go to the doctors to fill in our wrinkles with collagen and Botox in order to keep it moving. But have you ever heard of getting Botox injections at the dentist? Sure, it isn’t the first treatment option you think of when visiting the dentist, but Botox is actually a very useful option in the dental world. Botox injections or Botox, for short, is used in treating all sorts of conditions in the medical field, because of its temporary paralysis of muscle activity components. But, it’s not like teeth have wrinkles, right? Dental professionals have begun to use these injections to treat conditions like bruxism, TMJ and others involving facial pain. Because it is safe for treating conditions involving facial pain, Botox injections may also prove useful in many other dental cases. In orthodontics, the teeth of patients with strong mentalis muscles are prone reverting back to pre-therapy positions. Botox can help by weakening the muscles to allow movement and prevent any of the results of the current treatment. Patients who are still getting used to dentures can also benefit from Botox as they transition. While some may be concerned about using Botox as a treatment option, know that the local anesthesia typically used during your dental visits has greater potential for complications and negative reactions than Botox or dermal fillers. If you would like more information about Botox, call Dr. Katia Doumit in Ottawa, Ontario at 613-232-8000 or visit www.lesplanadedental.com. Dr. Doumit proudly serves Ottawa and all surrounding areas.