5 Things To Know Before Getting Your Cosmetic Botox Injection Done
Botox has been growing in popularity in recent years, and not just to help with those crow’s feet that appear on the sides of your eyes when you flash your pearly whites. An estimated 11 million people across the globe have used Botox, and we can only anticipate that the number will continue to grow. This should come as no surprise either since Botox can be used to treat far more than wrinkles. If you are considering Botox to help you gain a more youthful appearance, treat your TMJ disorder or migraines, or improve your gummy smile, we think there are a few things you should know.
What you should know about getting Botox in Wasilla, AK.
Botox is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth and eyes. Botox is the shortened name for a drug made out of botulinum toxin type A. This toxin is the same bacteria that causes food poisoning (botulism). But, over the years, doctors have discovered that when using a minimal dose, Botox can help smooth out wrinkles as well as treat various medical conditions.
1. How does Botox work?
Botox blocks the nerve impulses that communicate with your muscles, telling them when to contract. The result is a temporary paralysis of those muscles that cause wrinkles. The skin then has a smoother, more relaxed, and youthful appearance, and results can last for several months, though actual results will vary from patient to patient.
2. What medical conditions can Botox treat?
Because the botulinum toxin causes temporary paralysis and inhibits the movement of your muscles, it is highly effective in treating those vertical grooves or creases between your eyebrows, along with those crow’s feet that make their appearance on the sides of your eyes. Botox can also help reduce the appearance of frown lines and those thick bands in your neck that tend to appear more and more as you age. But Botox can also help to treat the following.
TMJ disorder
Your jaw muscles can become overworked and take on tension from time to time, making your face look wider than it actually is. Botox for TMJ can lessen the appearance of those muscles, making your face look thin again, but more importantly, it can help alleviate your pain from tooth clenching.
Migraines
Botox is highly effective in treating migraines because it blocks chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain. The botulinum toxin serves as a roadblock in that path, stopping the chemicals before they reach the nerve endings in your head and neck.
Gummy smile
Gingival hypertrophy, otherwise known as long or enlarged gum tissues, can cause the appearance of a gummy smile. However, Botox in Wasilla, AK, can help. For this procedure, Botox is injected into your upper lip, which allows your lip muscles to relax, so they don’t rise as high when you smile. The result is a numbed upper lip, which covers more of your gums.
3. Does getting Botox hurt?
Many of our patients ask us if their Botox injection will hurt. And we’re happy to say that Botox injections are designed not to hurt. In some cases, a numbing agent or ice pack can be applied before the injection to help minimize any discomfort. This said, patients should anticipate some mild side effects after receiving their treatment, such as minor tenderness, slight swelling, and modest redness at the injection site. These side effects will generally dissipate after a few minutes or hours.
4. How long does it take for Botox to work?
The results of Botox are not immediate, as it does take some time for the botulinum toxin to take effect. We tell our patients that it will take approximately three to seven days for Botox results to appear. Avoid alcohol at least one week before your Botox procedure for best results. And refrain from aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications about two weeks before treatment to reduce bruising. Be sure to follow all instructions provided to you by your Botox dentist near Anchorage to ensure the best results before and after your procedure.
5. What should I expect after my Botox procedure?
As mentioned above, you may experience some mild side effects after your Botox injection. You may even feel a bit tired afterward, but this fatigue should last only four to six hours. We highly discourage patients from lying down or bending over for several hours after their treatment, as this can cause the toxin to spread elsewhere and can also increase the risks of bruising at the injection site. Instead, patients should rest at home in a sitting position until the tiredness and soreness pass.
Visit Valley Dental Clinic for Botox in Wasilla, AK, to treat TMJ disorder, migraines, and your gummy smile.
If you have been thinking of Botox to help with your TMJ disorder, migraines, or gummy smile, the team at Valley Dental Clinic can help. Contact us today to request an appointment. Before long, you’ll be on your way to a better smile, reduced headaches, or less jaw pain. We look forward to helping you.