Botox & fillers

¿What is Botulinum Toxin? (Formerly known as Botox)

It is a protein, derived from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. Its action consists in blocking the nerve endings, it prevents the release of acetylcholine and therefore the muscular contraction. The muscle relaxes because it undergoes a denervation. The effect takes 2 to 4 days to appear reaching its maximum expression within 15 days after its application. This action is reversible, its effect lasts approximately 6 months.

Botulinum toxin is known in medicine since the year 1973 in primates. In the late 1970s it was introduced as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of strabismus. Since then the therapeutic applications have been expanded in different fields.

Applications in Dentistry:

• Gingival smile
• Bruxism
• Sialorrhea (Hypersalivation)
• Facial Asymmetry
• Elevation of commissures
• Orofacial pain
• Perioral Wrinkles

Application of botulinum toxin in the treatment of gingival smile

The gingival smile corresponds to the exaggerated exposure of gingiva when we smile, showing 3 or more millimeters of gum.

A beautiful smile usually is considered as white and aligned teeth, and this is where traditional dentistry is focused on, suggesting to patients Orthodontics, Implants, dental whitening, veneers to improve the shape and color of teeth.

In VIA CLINICA DENTAL, we add to this the assessment of muscle tone and symmetry with respect to soft tissues (gingiva, cheeks).

Most patients know and recognize their problem in the mirror, when and with which gesture the greatest exposure of gingival tissue (gingiva) is generated, but other patients do not recognize it, and they discover it when the practitioner shows them.

Exaggerated exposure of gums to smiling may be due to:

• dental causes
• bone/ skeletal problems
• short Lip Brush
• strong muscle of the upper lip (elevador): This is the point where we can help by treating the patient by injecting of botulinum toxin.

An ideal patient for the treatment of Gingival Smile with botox is a patient who:

• Presents a normal oral closure (no short upper lip or increased maxillary bone)
• Shows more than 3 mm gingiva when smiling.

What is the treatment for Gingival Smile with Botulinum Toxin?

For this treatment will be necessary a first diagnostic appointment of 30 minutes to assess muscle dynamics / power and size of the upper lip when relaxed, ridge of the alveolar bone, health of teeth and gum, patient status, etc.

Application and treatment

It is usually performed in 2 sessions where the upper lip lift muscles are infiltrated with botulinum toxin type A.

During the first session, the first infiltration is performed, then the patient will be reassessed after 10 to 14 days.

If the patient is satisfied with its result, it does not need re-infiltrate with toxin.

If the patient and the doctor consider that it is prudent to carry out a second application, this is done without additional cost and is expected to wait another 10 to 14 days to evaluate the results.

The final result obtained will have a maximum duration of 6 months, after these 6 months the levator superioris muscle recovers its function and it will be necessary to repeat the treatment if the patient wishes

Application of botulinal toxin in patients with bruxism

The application of botulinum toxin type A in masticatory muscles has proven to be an excellent treatment to help combat bruxism (clenching of pathological type teeth) and as a complementary treatment to dental treatment.

Both treatments (dental and facial) are necessary to stop and maintain relaxation of bimaxillary components. It should be noted here that the indication for its application must be purely professional since the causes of bruxism are many and there are different types of bruxism: physiological or pathological and mild, moderate or severe.

Application and treatment

For patients with bruxism, a first appointment of 30 minutes will be necessary to assess the muscular dynamics of the patient, and any facial asymmetries if existing.

Once the patient is indicated for this treatment, the infiltration of the muscle masseter is carried out with an ultra-fine needle.

The procedure is simple for the patient, it does not require anesthesia, as it is not painful and its effect starts within a few days (3-4 days).

The final result obtained will have a maximum duration of 6 months, after these 6 months little by little the muscle will recover its initial strength.

Application of botulinal toxin in patients with mandibular facial asymmetry

The procedure is the same as above.

The purpose of its application is to relax the muscle masseter unilaterally . This allows the patient to protrude less.