Cosmetic Botox® is a procedure using Botulinum Toxin to treat the visual signs of aging by reducing or removing wrinkles. The procedure is considered a safe, effective way of treating aging skin. Common areas for Cosmetic Botox® treatments include horizontal forehead furrows, vertical lines between the eyebrows and "crow's feet" around the eyes. Botox® is one of the best non-surgical forms of facial rejuvenation and is capable of producing phenomenal improvements in your appearance.

 

Indications for Cosmetic Botox® treatments include:

• Excessive facial wrinkles
• Large wrinkles or furrows in forehead
• Small wrinkles or “crow’s feet” around eyes
• A vertical “frown line” between eyebrows

 

Thereaputic Botox® also uses Botulinum Toxin to treat areas of the head, face, and neck including the same areas typically treated with Cosmetic Botox®. The most common benefit of Thereaputic Botox® is the reduction in the number of muscle contracting and clenching events as well as their intensity. This relaxation of facial and chewing muscles can reduce the destruction of teeth, gums and jaw joint, as well as reduce discomfort and pain in these areas. Facial imbalance from overactive muscles may also be improved with the relaxing of facial, head, and neck muscles.

 

Thereaputic Botox® is similar to Cosmetic Botox® in another way – the relaxing of facial and chewing muscles results in the beneficial side-effect of smoothing lines between the brows, on the forehead, and around the eyes. Another benefit is that only the injected areas are affected and results may start to be felt often within 24 – 48 hours. There is also the likely possibility that with frequent treatments, the injected muscles will atrophy allowing patients to go longer and longer between treatments.

 

Indications for Thereaputic Botox® treatments include:

• Clenching and grinding of teeth (bruxism)
• Myofacial pain including migraines, frequent headaches and tenderness of facial, head, and neck muscles
• Imbalance between masticatory (chewing) closing and opening muscles, masseteric hypertrophy (swelling or enlargement of chewing muscles), and resulting imbalance of facial outline (squaring of jawline, lack of proper alignment of boney structures, or bone loss)
• Failure of other treatments for oromandibular motor disorders and facial muscle tension to relieve underlying causes of pain and discomfort; progressive oral health issues including periodontal diseases, chronic earaches and headaches, hearing loss, tooth abrasion, sensitivity, fractures, caries, loss, and mobility due to underlying temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
• Imbalance to smile and facial features, including “gummy” smiles and uneven smile contours

What to expect during your Botox® treatment:

At your consultation, Dr. Madderra will first determine if Botox® is right for you and if it is the best treatment for the results you desire. He will also review your full medical history with you.

 

Botox® treatments is simple, non-surgical procedures. Dr. Madderra will have you contract the muscle areas to be treated so he can determine appropriate injection sites. Then, he will administer several tiny injections of Botox® directly into the muscle. The Botox® will begin to block the impulses from the nerve to the muscles, thereby relaxing them. Usually results are felt within 24 – 48 hours, but results can take up to 10 days for full effect and may vary with each injection area. Only the injected areas will be affected and relaxed. As the underlying facial muscles relax, facial and chewing muscle tension and corresponding pain are reduced and skin begins to also smooth out.

 

The length of the procedure depends on the number of injections needed as determined by Dr. Madderra and based on your goals discussed during your consultation. Still, it is reasonable for the procedure to be completed within 30 minutes.

 

What to expect after your Botox® treatment:

Any pain associated with this procedure is generally minimal and brief. Some patients have compared it to a “bug bite” or “pricking” sensation. Dr. Madderra reduces the likelihood of pain with proper injection techniques and using the minimal amount of Botox® as needed at each treatment.

 

Muscle tension and discomfort will begin to disappear 24 – 48 hours after the injections, and may continue to diminish up to 10 days after the procedure. Corresponding skin smoothing benefits may also be seen within 24 – 48 hours after the injections, and may continue to improve up to 10 days after the procedure. There may be mild temporary bruising, numbness, or redness around the injection sites. You may not look or feel 20 years younger, but you may find that you look more natural and relaxed.

 

Because the procedure is non-surgical and non-invasive, you can return to normal activities immediately following your appointment. However, to avoid complications such as spreading Botox® to other muscles, you should follow all post-treatment instructions (see instructions) and should not rub or massage the area injected and remain upright for at least 4 hours. Heavy physical activity should also be avoided for at least 4 hours.

 

What to expect long-term after your Botox® treatment:

Your facial and chewing muscle discomfort will disappear for three to four months, but results may last as long as six months. The smoother appearance of skin will also last three to four months, but may last as long as six months. Results may last even longer with subsequent treatments due to muscle atrophy. If another round of Botox® is not performed, facial or chewing muscle discomfort may return. Facial lines will return to their “pre-treatment” appearance.

 

You should wait at least three months between treatments. There is also the likely possibility that with repeated treatments, the injected muscles will atrophy allowing you to go longer and longer between sessions.  

 

 

We encourage you to contact our office if you are interested in learning more about Thereaputic Botox® and our treatments.