Botox or Dermal Fillers? Which is the Right Choice for You?

At first glance, Botox® and dermal fillers may seem outside the dentist’s scope. However, it makes perfect sense because dentists are experts in the structure and function of the mouth and facial muscles. These are the same areas involved in many cosmetic and therapeutic injections. 

At Oasis Family Dental in the Jefferson Park section of Chicago, dentist Paula Skowronski-Adamiak, DDS, leads her team in comprehensive patient care, which can include Botox and dermal fillers. 

While many people associate these treatments with cosmetic spas, they’re also increasingly available in dental settings. 

What Botox does 

Understanding how Botox works helps you see how it fits within a dental setting. 

Botox (botulinum toxin type A) works by temporarily relaxing targeted muscles. When these muscles relax, your skin smooths out. 

Botox works great for forehead lines, crows' feet, and those two lines between your brows. It lasts three to four months and has almost no downtime. 

Botox doesn’t add volume or fill in skin folds, which is where fillers can help. If you have sagging skin or see hollows, Botox alone won’t do it. 

Dermal fillers 

Typically made with hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers restore lost volume, smooth deep folds, and enhance facial contours. They are the go-to for structure and lift. 

Dermal fillers improve under-eye hollows, smile lines (nasolabial folds), cheeks, midface volume loss, lip definition, sagging jawline, and chin contouring. Fillers don’t relax muscles, which means they won’t soften expression-based wrinkles. 

Mild swelling or bruising for a few days is normal. You can adjust your schedule as needed.

Many patients benefit from the combination of both Botox and fillers because they do different things.  Botox smooths wrinkles, and fillers rebuild structure. The result is a balanced and natural-looking rejuvenation. 

How a dentist helps 

Dentists study facial anatomy, which makes them well-qualified to inject Botox and dermal fillers. They understand how facial muscles work alongside the nerves and blood vessels. Dental education includes detailed head-and-neck anatomy.

Dentists who offer Botox and fillers take additional courses, which means they’re uniquely qualified to make injections near your mouth, jaw, cheeks, or lips. In fact, dentists have used Botox therapeutically for years to treat conditions like: 

• TMJ disorders 
• Bruxism (teeth grinding) 
• Chronic jaw pain 
• Facial muscle tension 

The research shows botulinum toxin as a legitimate treatment for muscle-related pain and dysfunction. It’s not only for wrinkles. 

Alongside Botox for pain relief, dermal fillers support oral and facial balance. They can also improve your facial balance affected by tooth loss or changes in your bite. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Botox and dermal fillers and if they’re right for you, you can schedule a consultation at Oasis Family Dental in Chicago.