Name: The Art of Dental Wellness
Address: 416 N Bedford Dr Suite 409, Beverly Hills, CA, 90210
Telephone: (424) 355-0355
Price range: $$
Rating: 5.0

Botox for Dentistry

Botox for TMJ or a Gummy Smile at The Art of Dental Wellness

Temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ, can cause persistent pain and make essential activities like eating uncomfortable, putting a damper on your quality of life. People with TMJ may experience pain, stiffness, clicking, and locking of the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull near the front of the ear. Injections with the neuromodulator Botox calm muscle contractions that aggravate the jaw, providing relief from TMJ symptoms. Botox is also useful for individuals who want to improve the appearance of excessive gingival display or a “gummy smile.” Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kerri Hill, at The Art of Dental Wellness, offers expert Botox treatments to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ or reduce the appearance of a gummy smile.

Effective Relief from TMJ

What is Botox for Dentistry?

Botox is an injectable made out of botulinum toxin, a chemical that blocks nerve signals to treated muscles, calming habitual contractions. Botox has many applications, like treating wrinkles, overactive sweat glands, and migraines. In dentistry, our Beverly Hills Botox for TMJ invloves strategically-placed injections that alleviate the symptoms of TMJ, a common condition that can significantly affect your quality of life. Botox can also reduce the appearance of a gummy smile by helping your upper lip sit lower.

Botox for Dentistry at The Art of Dental Wellness

Dr. Kerri Hill and the staff at The Art of Dental Wellness have extensive experience in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry coupled with a passion for helping patients live more confident, pain-free lives. We offer expert treatments with Botox in Beverly Hills to lessen the symptoms of TMJ or reduce the appearance of a gummy smile.

Beverly Hills botox dentistry model with brown hair smiling

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)

What can Botox for Dentistry do?

People with TMJ experience problems with the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jawbone to the skull on both sides of the face near the ears. The causes of TMJ can differ from person to person and might include genetic factors, injury, bruxism (tooth grinding), or arthritis. TMJ is characterized by painful symptoms affecting the joints of the jaw and the entire face:

Soreness or pain in the jaw
Aching in and around the ears
Pain or functional problems when chewing
Headaches and facial pain
Locking up of the joint
Clicking or grating when chewing or moving the jaw

Botox for TMJ uses injections at key points on the face can calm contractions that aggravate these symptoms, providing noticeable relief for up to three to four months, at which time treatment may be repeated.

Excessive Gingival Display—“Gummy Smile”

Dr. Kerri Hill also performs Botox injections for cosmetic improvement in the appearance of a gummy smile, a normal anatomical variation of the teeth and lips that causes the upper gums to show when smiling. A gummy smile, also known as excessive gingival display, may be the result of certain anatomical traits:

Enlarged gums
A short upper lip
A prominent upper jaw
Small teeth caused by wear or genetics
A “hypermobile” upper lip that raises too high when you smile
Teeth that appear short because of the way they initially erupted from the gums

Botox injections between the nose and upper lip counter the appearance of a gummy smile by relaxing the muscles that draw the upper lip above the gums. Results can last three to four months or longer.

Botox for Dentistry
Preparation and Procedure

Botox is delivered by injection to key points on the face. The needle used is very narrow and causes minimal discomfort. The number and location of the injections will depend on the objectives of your individual treatment plan. This is a brief in-office procedure that does not require any downtime, meaning you can continue your day as usual after your visit.

Explore Your Options

Schedule Your Consultation at The Art of Dental Wellness

If you are interested in trying Botox to relieve your TMJ symptoms or to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile, schedule your consultation with Dr. Hill at The Art of Dental Wellness. During your consultation for Botox dentistry Beverly Hills dentist, Dr. Kerri Hill, will assess your symptoms and answer all of your questions about Botox treatments. We look forward to working with you to achieve your goals and support your lasting oral health.

Botox for Dentistry Recovery, Results, and Aftercare

The treatment area may be sore or slightly swollen for the first day or two after your visit, but this should be minimal and will fade quickly. It takes a little time for the optimal outcome of the treatment to be achieved, usually five to seven days. At this point, you should begin to experience relief from your TMJ symptoms or notice a visible improvement in your gummy smile. Results usually last three to four months, though some patients have seen a reduction in gingival display for up to six months.

Maintaining Your Botox For Dentistry Results

Botox injections typically last three to four months and sometimes longer. Maintenance appointments every few months can help you maintain your results. In fact, there is some evidence that regular injections can gradually train the treated muscles to become less active over time.

Beverly Hills botox dentistry model with blonde hair

Botox for Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions

Will it hurt?

Botox is administered via injections using a narrow needle. If desired, a numbing cream may be put on the skin to reduce the sensation of the injections. This is a quick procedure that comes with minimal pain.

What are the risks?

In rare cases, an allergic reaction to the Botox injection can cause adverse effects like swelling or difficulty breathing. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you are having an adverse reaction to Botox.

How much does it cost?

The cost of Botox dentistry treatment will be partially determined by the number of Botox units needed to achieve the results you are looking for. Schedule a consultation to learn about the cost of your individual procedure.

Do I need to have someone drive me home because of anesthesia?

No. Unless you have your Botox procedure at the same time as another treatment that requires sedation or anesthesia, you will be able to drive yourself home after your injections and continue with your day.

Patient-Centric Implant & Cosmetic Dentistry

Proudly Serving Beverly Hills

Kerri Hill, DDS, offers a uniquely all-encompassing, patient-focused dental treatment experience in Beverly Hills. The expert behind some of Hollywood’s best smiles, Dr. Hill’s propensity for empathy and meticulous care allow her to make patients’ dreams a reality. Begin building your best smile with a comprehensive consultation at The Art of Dental Wellness.

416 N Bedford Dr Suite 409, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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(424) 355-0355

Botox for TMJ and Gummy Smiles // in Beverly Hills, CA //