Botox & Fillers
Dr. Bonnie G. Alexander offers Botox treatments in her office. Dr. Alexander has successfully completed Botox courses through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. Botox has many clinical uses in dentistry today. Dr. Alexander will give you a comprehensive consultation to see how Botox can be useful for you.
Botox
What is Botox?
Botox® is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin, a neurotoxin in the form of a purified protein. The mechanism of action for Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) is really quite simple; it is injected into facial muscles but really doesn’t affect the muscle at all. Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) works by blocking the transmitters between the motor nerves that innervate the muscle.
The areas typically treated with Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) for wrinkles are the forehead, between the eyes (glabellar region), around the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet) and around the lips (smokers lines or gummy smile). There is no loss of sensory feeling in the muscles. Once the motor nerve endings are interrupted, the muscle cannot contract, causing wrinkles in the skin to smooth. The effects of Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) last approximately three to four months, at which time the patient will require retreatment.
Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) has important clinical uses as an adjunct in facial pain and bruxism cases for patients with chronic TMJ and orofacial pain. Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) is also used to complement esthetic dentistry as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
Botulinum Toxin Procedures
Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) is used esthetically to decrease the appearance of aging by reducing muscle movement. Areas of treatment include; the glabellar area (the 11’s/frown lines between the eyes), frontalis muscles (forehead lines), crow’s feet, chin dimples, radial lip lines (smoker’s lines) and nose lines. Botulinum Toxin can also be used to reduce the muscle mass in the masseters (jaw line) for a slimming facial esthetic result.
Receiving Botulinum Toxin takes only a few minutes and there’s no need for anesthesia or down time. The injections are made using a very fine needle and are virtually painless.
Generally, results are visible within two to ten days. To reduce the possibility of bruising/swelling, it is recommended to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours and aspirin/anti-inflammatory medications for a period of two weeks prior to the procedure. As always, consult your physician before stopping any medications.
The most common side effects of Botulinum Toxin injections are bruising, redness, and swelling. Other, rare side effects are possible and will be reviewed by Dr. Alexander. To avoid adverse reactions/results, do not manipulate the treated area for 2 hours after injections and maintain an upright position.
The esthetic effects of Botulinum Toxin typically last three to four months. As the treated muscles regain movement, lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear and require retreatment. Over time, these lines and wrinkles should appear less noticeable due to training the treated muscles to relax.
What is Bruxism: Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for unconscious teeth clenching and grinding, either while awake or asleep, which can lead to physical painful and severe dental problems. Chronic teeth grinding can cause headache, earaches, facial pain, and even migraines. Dental problems from bruxism include loss of tooth enamel, increased tooth sensitivity, and flattening and/or chipping of the teeth. Bruxism sufferers who grind and clench their teeth while sleeping frequently wake up with a sore jaw. Hypertrophy of the masseter muscle, which may lead to the appearance of a severe square jaw, is another side effect of bruxism. Treatments with Botulinum Toxin Type A, commonly known as botulinum toxin, can provide tremendous relief from jaw soreness, headaches, and other unpleasant problems associated with Bruxism. Botulinum toxin treatments for Bruxism can also soften the appearance of the jaw line.
Botulinum Toxin vs. Conventional Bruxism Treatments
Recently, botulinum toxin has proven to be an ideal treatment option for targeting and treating excessive muscle activity and spasticity. Many other treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications and dental devices, do not address the source of the problem. Although dental devices can successfully protect teeth from damage at night for bruxism sufferers, they are ineffective in stopping the painful side effects of teeth grinding.
The Procedure
By injecting small doses of botulinum toxin directly into the masseter muscle (the large muscle that moves the jaw), the muscle is weakened enough to stop involuntary grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw. This significantly relaxes the muscle and reduces the wear and tear on the teeth due to grinding. Damage to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) and headaches should be reduced or eliminated as well. Voluntary movements, such as chewing and facial expressions, are not affected at all by Botox®.
Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin for Bruxism
Although botulinum toxin injections are not a cure for bruxism, they can effectively control the uncomfortable symptoms better than a nightguard for some patients. Botulinum toxin used for treating bruxism typically lasts for three to four months. Dr. Alexander is prepared to discuss with you the best options if you suffer from Bruxism. Schedule your consult today!
Fillers
Dr. Bonnie G. Alexander also offers dermal filler treatments in her office. Dr. Alexander has successfully completed dermal filler courses through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. Dermal fillers have many clinical uses in dentistry today to aid in giving you the smile you desire. Call for a comprehensive consultation to see if dermal fillers are right for you.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
If you are looking for a non- surgical face lift or you just want to smooth out a few fine lines or fill in deep set wrinkles, injectables are for you. Millions of people use dermal fillers to achieve a more relaxed and smooth facial appearance while still having the freedom of expression.
As skin ages, it begins to lose collagen filled with hyaluronic acid (HA). Collagen and HA add structure and volume to the face, therefore a lack of HA causes the skin to sag and wrinkle – that’s where dermal fillers come into play.
Dermal fillers are smooth injectable gels made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Dermal fillers add volume to weakened facial features and can stimulate collagen growth. Each dermal filler is unique in its own way but similar in two. First, they plump skin and gently lift it to restore collagen loss due to the normal aging process. Secondly, dermal fillers motivate the body to create its own natural collagen and restore your face to a more natural, youthful appearance.
Dermal fillers approved by the FDA are minimally invasive and very safe. As with any procedure, there are possible risks, the most common being post-procedure bruising and swelling which are usually very minimal and resolve quickly.
Dermal filler treatments typically take 20-40 minutes and the amount of dermal filler needed will depend on volume loss and the areas you would like to restore to its natural beauty. You will see results immediately after treatment.
*Disclaimer: Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers, facial injections, and other skin care information contained on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice. To consult one of our AAFE trained members, please use the doctor locator.
What Is Juvéderm?
Juvéderm is a soft but stable injectable gel made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the skin that assists in adding hydration and volume. The American Academy of Facial Esthetics trained professional clinicians carefully introduce Juvéderm into the mid to deep dermis to temporarily smooth wrinkles and fine lines; replenishing volume in the skin almost instantly. The dermis is part of the subsurface skin layer that includes nerve endings, blood vessels, sweat, oil glands, and connective tissue.
The Juvéderm dermal filler treatment process is very quick (about 15 minutes) with immediate results. Downtime is minimal and you can get back to your normal routine right away. The Food and Drug Administration approved Juvéderm in 2006 as the only hyaluronic acid filler that will last up to one year.
Juvéderm is a robust formula designed to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds providing versatility while restoring the contours of your face to a smooth and natural look.
The Juvéderm advantage is that its supple gel consistency provides a more natural-looking appearance than other products. Juvéderm is also long lasting so you can keep your improved appearance from six to nine months. If you have a follow-up enhancement within a few weeks after the first dermal filler treatment, the benefits could last even longer. Side effects are rare, but may include tenderness, bruising, mild pain, swelling and redness at the injection site and generally resolve within a few days.
What Is Voluma XC?
Voluma XC is the first and only FDA-approved injectable gel filler to correct age-related volume loss in the midface. Made of hyaluronic acid (a natural occurring substance found in skin), this soft, pliable gel is indicated for deep (subcutaneous and/or supraperiosteal) injections for check augmentation.
As aging progresses, facial structures begin to sag – fat pads diminish and we are left with hollow faces, temples and jowls. Voluma XC works to reverse the signs of aging by instantly lifting, sculpting, and contouring the midface region. The injections are nearly painless as the product contains lidocaine and is injected deeper into the skin where there are fewer nerves. Side effects are moderate and generally last 2 to 4 weeks. Common side effects include temporary reactions at the treatment site such as tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, pain, redness, discoloration, and itching.
Voluma XC is an optimal treatment for natural-looking, youthful results that last up to 2 years.