Dental Implants: Botox Can Optimize Cosmetic Appeal

Those seeking dental implants should also consider Botox, a leading cosmetic surgeon said at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Since a significant majority of dental implant patients are older with facial aging, rejuvenation techniques, such as Botox, may maximize the cosmetic outcomes of the procedure.

Joseph Niamtu III, DMD, a well known oral and maxillofacial surgeon, told the AAID audience that for many dental implant patients restoring facial volume is as critical as the dental restoration for achieving optimal cosmetic outcomes.

“The face is the frame for cosmetic dentistry, and dentists should consider the benefits of facial volume restoration when performing implant surgery on older patients with facial aging,” said Niamtu. “The standard today requires consideration of facial structures and volume restoration to maximize patient satisfaction with cosmetic and restorative dental procedures.”

Naimtu said all states currently allow dentists to give Botox injections for purely dental reasons, such as relieving temporomanidibular (TMJ) pain, but not for cosmetic purposes.

He added that approximately 8 percent of dentists in North America now provide Botox cosmetic treatment for patients and the number is growing, as state dental boards lobby to allow dentists to use the agent for cosmetic dentistry.

“How often do we see perfectly restored teeth framed by thin or wrinkled lips?” Niamtu said. “Soft tissues around the mouth are just as important as nicely restored white teeth in creating an attractive smile.”

Also, for older dental implant patients with facial aging, the corners the mouth begin to turn down and wrinkles appear around the lips. Niamtu advised that Botox can be used by dentists to relax affected muscles to raise mouth corners and smooth wrinkles to assure successful and satisfying outcomes.

The use of Botox should be see as a natural expansion of dentistry, according to Niamtu.

“Dentists have as much training and knowledge in the oral and maxillofacial area as dermatologists and other providers, so they, with proper Botox training, can be as proficient in administering Botox, Restylane and other filling agents.”

Source:  by ThirdAge News Staff, October 22, 2010 at http://www.thirdage.com/news/dental-implants-botox-can-optimize-cosmetic-appeal_10-22-2010