Botox in Calgary
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What is Botox, and how does it work?
We all have heard about Botox injections. Botox is a neuromodulator that has been around for a while now, and millions of people worldwide have tried this treatment. But what do we find in those injections? Well, Botox is a drug made of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This toxin, the Botulinum toxin (commercially known as Botox), is a protein that in normal conditions causes a severe disease known as botulism. However, some decades ago, scientists found that this neurotoxin could also be used for certain therapies. They separated and purified this protein to get an active medical principle that is safe and effective for cosmetic and medical treatment.
Botox is injected directly into a muscle. Once it reaches the nerves, it blocks the transmission of chemical signals that enable muscle movement without affecting the sensory nerves (the ones you need to feel pain, temperature and touch). As a result, the muscles are temporarily relaxed. This effect lasts for three to four months, and as the toxin wears off, signs of muscle movement will slowly return. At this point, patients can opt to have another dose administered.
Uses of Botox in Dentistry
The FDA first approved Botox for cosmetic reasons in 2002. Since then, it has been incorporated in multiple medical fields to treat different conditions and improve facial aesthetics. Dentists have been using Botox injections since 2010 as it can help with:
Facial ageing lines
Botox is an ideal solution for those patients that want to refresh their appearance without undergoing surgical procedures. These injections soften the look of wrinkles, frows and facial lines and make you look younger only a few days after the application!
Joint pain
Botox treatment can also help patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The injections relax the muscles related to the joint, relieving the tension caused by the different disorders. As a result, patients feel less muscular pain and, in most cases, they also get rid of the headaches.
Droopy eyebrows
Botox doesn’t just reduce wrinkles and frown lines on the face. When injected into specific muscles, it helps elevate drooping brows, making patients look happier and more relaxed.
What to expect of a typical Botox treatment procedure
Below, we listed a few aspects that all patients getting Botox should consider:
Only authorized professionals can administer Botox.
Dentists are among the few healthcare providers allowed to perform this treatment and are considered one of the most appropriate professionals to inject this toxin.
It's simple and only takes a few minutes.
Most patients can receive this treatment without local anaesthesia. Our dentists use a fine needle to inject the Botox into a specific muscle group to achieve the desired effect. The number of injections (and the cost of the treatment) will vary according to the extension of the area treated.
Results are visible within days.
There are almost no post-op indications – just avoid physical activity for a few days and try not to touch the area to prevent the migration of the toxin. The injection site may bleed a little, but this can be stopped by applying some pressure. Results are going to be evident in no time!
Are there any side effects to Botox injections?
Botox injections don’t have many side effects. Some patients have reported a mild discomfort at the injection site, but this is usually remedied with ice packs or over-the-counter pain killers. Other more unusual side effects are headaches, facial pain, temporary eyelid droop and muscle weakness (uncommon). Talk to Dr Silver about any of your concerns.
Botox can be the right treatment for you
Visit our clinic and learn more about this therapy!
Schedule a consultFAQs
Botox can be administered by many health care professionals, including doctors, qualified nurses and dentists. Dentists are extensively trained for procedures far more complex than Botox. They have a deep understanding of facial anatomy and muscle function, so they are by far one of the most prepared professionals to provide this type of treatment.
Botox doesn’t last forever. The toxin starts to wear off three months after the injection, so we may advise patients to repeat the treatment every 12 to 16 weeks. The good news is that, after prolonged treatment, muscles can start to train themselves to contract less, so patients don’t need to receive the injections more often.
A Botox appointment shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes of your time. We start the appointment by understanding what’s best for you by asking some questions and taking some photos. Next, your typical Botox injection procedure takes about 15 minutes. Afterwards, we ask patients to stay in the clinic for a few minutes to rest and apply an ice pack in the injection sites. After that, you will be able to resume your day straight away.
Botox is a great tool to slow down the signs of ageing. Professionals advise patients interested in this type of treatment to make a consultation when facial lines begin to appear.
About Dr. Jennifer Silver
Dr. Jennifer Silver, Dentist
Dr. Silver is our local dentist at Calgary dental clinic. She has been transforming our patients’ smiles in many ways for the last 15 years. If you are interested in Botox injections, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Silver to answer your questions!