Botox®

The esthetics of dentistry has come a long way in helping patients feel comfortable from head to toe. From composites, crowns to veneers, modern dentists have added Botox® treatment to enhance the esthetic affect of cosmetic dentistry and to control the pain sometimes associated with TMJ for their patients. Dr. Doherty and his staff are specially trained to administer Botox® treatments with exceptional accuracy and precision.

The esthetic treatments offered by Crystal Valley Dental are an alternative to surgery and will enhance any other cosmetic dentistry treatments, virtually pain free. Because Botox® is often used as a temporary solution, and typically lasts for 3 to 5 months, treatment can be scheduled to coincide with routine dental hygiene appointments. Along with teeth whitening, orthodontics, or porcelain veneers, patients who benefit from Botox® will have a considerably more vigorous appearance.

Most commonly used to treat facial wrinkles and furrow lines formed by the natural maturing process or stress, or to give shape to thin or featureless lips, Botox® is also used to repair receding gums caused by periodontal disease or aging. It is also used as a therapeutic treatment to ease the Bruxism symptoms associated with TMJ syndrome such as teeth grinding and jaw clenching, chronic migraine headache, and other facial pain. Dr. Doherty will evaluate your esthetic and pain needs and use Botox® to both refine your appearance and ease your suffering.

Botox® is a FDA-approved purified protein that is injected into targeted muscles to temporarily block nerve signals that cause muscle movements. It essentially relaxes the muscle under the skin or in the jaw to reduce or eliminate fine lines and wrinkles, and to decrease facial pain. Patients will see and feel the effects within 3-5 days of a Botox® procedure. The untreated facial muscles will still contract and not affect facial expression.

The use of Botox® is safe, however, when locally administered, the effects may spread from the injection site to other areas of the body with sometimes-adverse reaction. Patients are encouraged to talk to Dr. Doherty with any questions about treatment.

Dermal Fillers

Unlike Botox®, dermal fillers target noticeable smile lines and sunken cheeks from facial volume loss by acting as a smooth gel filler. Because of its adaptable nature, a dermal filler will not only address these concerns, but also the spacing between the teeth resulting from gum loss, and contouring the jaw line and other areas of the face. Dr. Doherty and his professional staff administer dermal fillers to complement and enhance the effects of cosmetic dentistry at Crystal Valley Dental Associates to present an overall pleasing result.

The aging process causes faces to naturally lose subdermal collagen. The facial muscles then need to work closer to the skin’s surface, so laugh lines around the mouth, and crow’s feet around the eyes become more apparent. The facial skin also stretches a bit, adding to the loss of facial volume. Other factors that affect facial skin include sun exposure, heredity, and lifestyle.

Dermal fillers, therefore, can be used to enhance thin lips, heighten cheekbones, soften facial creases and wrinkles, and decrease the appearance of recessed scars. Dermal fillers can be very helpful for those with early signs of aging, or as a value-added element of cosmetic dentistry. Typically, a dermal filler treatment lasts for six months, so can be scheduled to coincide with other regular dental appointments.

There are several types of dermal fillers that differ in chemical make-up, longevity, and have varying degrees of softness. Softer fillers are used in the lips, for example, while sturdier fillers might be desired to enhance cheekbones. Dr. Doherty will determine what the best type and volume of filler is needed for each patient’s particular areas of concern.

The dermal filler procedure is relatively quick and painless. With soft tissue fillers, Dr. Doherty will evaluate the patient’s facial appearance and skin tone, and examine the areas of the face to be enhanced. The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent and pain at the injection site may be mitigated by use of an anesthetic ointment to numb the skin, or an injection of local anesthesia.

Dermal filler injection usually takes only a few moments per site. Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour. Once Dr. Doherty and his patient are satisfied with the results of treatment, an ice pack may be offered to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.

There is no downtime with dermal fillers, and side effects are minimal. Most patients resume regular activities right away. There may be mild swelling or bruising, or temporary numbness or redness – all of which can be calmed with topical icing. Although the treated area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication. Dr. Doherty and his staff are always available if a patient has any questions or concerns about treatment.