Botox

OnabotulinumtoxinA, known as Botox, is used for esthetic and functional purposes. Botox softens expression lines by relaxing underlying muscles for 3-6 months. In our office we use Botox to soften forehead lines, glabellar or “eleven lines,” and crow’s feet. Botox may be used in very small doses around the lips in order to help more lip and less gum show when smiling, reducing a “gummy” smile. Another important use for Botox is for pain management from grinding and clenching. By placing Botox in the muscles of mastication, or chewing, we can reduce pain caused by these nighttime habits and simultaneously protect the teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).