Dermal fillers and Botox® made a massive impact in the field of esthetics. By far, Botox® and dermal fillers are two of the fastest-growing cosmetic treatments-especially over the last eight years. Compared to other cosmetic procedures and treatments such as liposuction and breast implants, the amount of money spent on dermal fillers and Botox® and dermal fillers far exceeds all other treatments.

“Don’t dermal fillers and Botox® belong in a specialty clinic, such as that of a plastic surgeon or dermatologist?” Plastic surgeons and dermatologists were the first healthcare providers to integrate and train regarding these therapies. However, because they trained and integrated these therapies initially, thus making them “specialty” procedures.

Currently, these procedures are being done by other physicians, including ophthalmologists, OB/GYNs, internists, gastroenterologists, physician assistants, estheticians (that may or may not have any medical background), registered nurses, and even foot doctors (podiatrists).

When you think about it, dentists are true “specialists” of the face. Much more so than any other healthcare provider, they have had extensive training regarding the face and its anatomy. Dentists also have a great amount of experience in dealing with needle phobia and dental anxiety.

What about Botox® offered by a physician’s assistant or registered nurse?

A physician’s assistant or registered nurse can often have independent practices outside of a physician’s office. Having an independent office means performing dermal fillers, Botox®, laser and chemical microdermabrasion, mesotherapy, sclerotherapy, etc. without a doctor present. It’s likely that these providers can offer great care, but is this really the great place for Botox®?

As a Lincoln, NE dentist, I have come to realize how advanced our training has been in the maxillofacial and oral areas. Our dental training is far more involved than just about any other healthcare professional who can deliver dermal fillers and Botox®. Experience daily with needle phobia and dental anxiety patients has allowed us to become even more proficient in “facial” injections.

Often, it is said that these procedures are best left to physicians. But, “Why?” General plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, OB/GYNs, and almost all other doctors, physician’s assistants, and nurses do not even know the oral, facial, and perioral areas when compared to a dentist (general dentist).

Dentists have more extensive knowledge and are more familiar with taking care of complications compared to other healthcare providers. These healthcare providers can deliver dermal fillers and Botox® (some states even exclude dentists from performing these procedures). Dentists do several more invasive procedures in the facial areas than all other medical professionals combined. The face is where dentists live every single day of our career!

While dermal fillers and Botox® might seem foreign to dental providers, it is also important to remember that dental implants were also unfamiliar to dentists at one time. So, it’s time to start learning how dermal fillers and Botox® can help dentistry!

The BOTOX® Primer

Botulinum toxin is a trade name for Botox®, which, in short, comes in the form of a protein that has been purified. Botox® is injected right into the facial muscles but it’s important to know that it doesn’t affect the muscle at all. Botulinum toxin blocks and affects transmitters between the motor nerves that, in short, innervate the muscle. There is no loss of sensory feeling within the muscles. Once the motor nerve endings have been interrupted, the muscle can no longer contract. When that muscle doesn’t contract, the motion that causes wrinkles in the skin ceases.

Because of this, the skin will then start to smooth out, and in approximately three to ten days post-treatment, the skin above the injected muscles will become smooth.

For many, the effects of Botox®, last about three to four months. After that period, the patient will need re-treatment of Botox® from a trained “Botox® provider near me.”

What can Botox® be used for?

  • Smoothing areas of facial wrinkles on the forehead
  • Around the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet)
  • Between the eyes (glabellar region)
  • Around the area of the lips
  • Can also be used to complement esthetic dentistry cases or used as a minimally invasive alternative for denture patients who have trouble adjusting to new dentures

In addition, Botox® also has important clinical uses such as an adjunct in bruxism and TMJ cases and for patients with chronic facial and TMJ pain. Also, Botox® can also be used to complement esthetic dentistry cases or used as a minimally invasive alternative for denture patients who have trouble adjusting to new dentures.

Botox® also has uses in orthodontic cases when retraining the facial muscles is necessary and can be surgically used to treat a high lip line in some instances and for lip augmentation. No other provider besides dentists, especially a dentist, can help patients in so many areas in healthcare.

Our BOTOX® Provider Discuses Adverse Reactions

What about adverse reactions to dermal fillers and Botox®? The long-term safety of Botox® is exceptionally well established clinically, with millions of injections delivered every year. Botox® treatments are among the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures in the United States. If adverse reactions were common, this would not be the case.

The most common dermal fillers used today are made of hyaluronic acid. As stated earlier, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance within the body. When the effects of dermal fillers and Botox® are gone, they are gone entirely, with no after-effects or residue present.

When it comes to adverse reactions, you will find far more adverse reactions with local anesthetics that can have significant effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and muscular system. Dentists are knowledgeable about the use of local anesthetics and have been trained in handling any complications, thus once trained adequately in dermal fillers and Botox®, you should have no concerns.

It is estimated that around 10% of dentists have been trained in dermal fillers and Botox®. Training with either of these procedures is essential. The face, especially the lower face, is where dentists live every day. Once adequately trained in dermal fillers and Botox® therapy, dentists can complete much better dental and cosmetic results for patients.

Training for a dentist is significantly different from training for other healthcare professionals. A dentist’s training is limited to the face. It must include how to best use these dermal fillers and Botox® for clinical dental uses in addition to the volumizing facial folds and smoothing of facial wrinkles.

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