Botox isn’t only cosmetic. At Safari Family Dental & Orthodontics, our dentists use Botox to relieve jaw tension and teeth grinding and to soften facial lines, with the same gentle, family-friendly care we bring to every visit. Because dentists study the muscles of the face and jaw every day, the dental office is a natural place for this treatment.
Botox is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes the specific muscles it’s placed in. A few small, precise injections tell an overactive muscle to calm down, without affecting the feeling in the area.
In dentistry, that helps in two ways. It can ease clenching, grinding and the jaw pain that comes with TMJ problems by relaxing the strong chewing muscles. It can also smooth fine lines around the mouth and forehead and soften a “gummy” smile by relaxing the muscle that lifts the upper lip.
Botox may help adults who wake up with a sore jaw or morning headaches, grind or clench their teeth at night or under stress, have chipped or worn teeth from grinding, show more gum than they’d like when they smile, or want a smoother, more relaxed look.
It isn’t right for everyone. Before treatment, we review your health history, medications and goals, and we’ll let you know if another option, such as a night guard, would serve you better. Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Your visit starts with a short consultation, where we look at your bite, jaw muscles and smile and talk about what you want to change. If Botox is a good fit, treatment usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Most patients feel only a quick pinch, and we can numb the area first if you prefer.
There’s little to no downtime, so most people go right back to work or school. Results start to show within a few days and are usually full within one to two weeks. They typically last about three to four months, and many patients schedule touch-ups to keep the results steady.
Most patients feel only a quick pinch with each small injection. We can numb the area first if you prefer.
Results typically last about three to four months, depending on the area treated and how strong your muscles are. Regular touch-ups help keep results steady.
Yes. Relaxing the jaw muscles can reduce clenching and grinding and the jaw soreness and headaches that often come with it. We may still recommend a night guard to protect your teeth.
Very little. Most patients return to normal activities right away. We recommend avoiding rubbing the area, lying down flat and heavy exercise for the rest of the day.
Many patients notice a difference within a few days, with full results in about one to two weeks.
Side effects are usually mild and short-lived, such as slight redness, swelling or bruising where the injection was placed. We review possible side effects with you before treatment.
Botox is usually not covered by dental insurance, especially for cosmetic use. Our team will give you the cost up front, and financing through CareCredit and Cherry is available.
Call any of our four offices to ask whether Botox is right for you and book a consultation.
