
Botox® therapy in dentistry
What Is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is a drug that weakens or paralyzes muscle. In small doses, it can reduce skin wrinkles and help
treat several medical conditions. Botox is a natural protein derived from C. botulinum bacteria. It is a
toxin, but when used commercially in small dosages it has both cosmetic and therapeutic applications.
In the right hands of an experienced injector- it is extremely safe and has few side effects.
Commercial preparations of Botulinum toxin include:
Onabotulinumtoxin A (Botox)
Abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport)
Incobotulinumtoxin A (Xeomin)
Rimabotulinumtoxin B (Myobloc)
Prabotulinumtoxin A (Jeuveau)
People casually use the term “Botox” to describe all of these products, though the term BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.
How does it work?
Botox is a neurotoxin that causes temporary muscle paralysis. These substances target the nervous system, disrupting the nerve signaling processes that stimulate muscle contraction.
In order for any muscle to contract, the nerves release a chemical messenger called Acetylcholine at the junction where nerve endings meet muscle cells. Acetylcholine attaches to receptors on the muscle cells
and causes the cells to contract, or shorten.
Botox injections prevent the release of acetylcholine, which stops the muscle cells from contracting. In this way, the toxin helps the muscles to become less stiff.
What is Botox Therapeutic used for?
The purpose of Botox Therapeutic (which is FDA approved) is to relax the facial muscles. When those
muscles relax, it relieves any tension causing the pain, such as:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching)
- TMJ disorders: Facial and Jaw Pain; Locking of the Jaws; Impaired Jaw movement; Restricted mouth opening; Ear tinnitus and pain.
- Migraines and Headaches
- Neck pain
- Trigger point pain (muscle pain that reflects to other locations)
- Sleep deprivation.