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Advantages of Botox
& Filler 

Advantages of Botox & Fillers at the Dentist

Botox is a distilled type of botulinum toxin produced by bacteria. While it is deadly in larger quantities, the small controlled amount of Botox given helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines. There are many advantages of botox and fillers at the dentist. In the article below, Dr. Jin Young Kim, a dentist in Lexington, KY, shares everything you need to know about this cosmetic treatment.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox operates by blocking nerve impulses in the muscles where the nerve is injected. When these nerve impulses are disrupted, the affected muscle is partially paralyzed or frozen. The lack of movement allows certain wrinkles can be softened, diminished, or even removed. That’s why so many people opt-in for this treatment.

What is Botox Able to Correct?

Botox acts only on wrinkles created by muscle movement. These are known as complex wrinkles and are also referred to as speech lines. The most common dynamic wrinkles that Botox commonly treats are lines on the upper lip, such as the “11” between the brows, the horizontal lines on the forehead, and the crow’s legs. These lines form over time due to smiling, frowning, squinting, and other face features.

Unfortunately, Botox will not work on fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by sagging or fainting. They are known as static wrinkles. Static wrinkles include lines in the cheeks, collar, and jowl area. Botox is not a permanent cure. Repeated treatments are important for sustained wrinkle-reducing effects. Most people find that Botox lasts for 3 to 4 months.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are also commonly known as soft tissue fillers. These are substances meant to be inserted under the surface of the skin to add bulk and fullness.

Substances used in dermal fillers shall include:

  • Calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral-like compound found in bones.
  • Hyaluronic acid, which is present in some of the body’s fluids and tissues, adds plumpness to the skin.
  • Polyalkylimide is a translucent gel that is comfortable with the body.
  • Polylactic acid, which causes the skin to create more collagen.
  • Polymethyl-methacrylate microsphere (PMMA), a semi-permanent filler
  • Each of these is intended to address various symptoms of aging or other cosmetic issues.

They often differ in the time they take to work, as well as how long they last. Some fillers last for 6 months, while others last for up to 2 years or longer.

Our friends at Kissing Camels Family Dentistry, a cosmetic dentist in Colorado Springs, CO, agrees that patients should address their particular needs and desires with their physician in order to decide which filler will be the best option for them.

What Do Dermal Fillers Do?

Various forms of dermal fillers are formulated to treat various symptoms of aging. Depending on the filler you have chosen, they may:

  • Plump the thinning lips
  • Enhance or fill in shallow areas of the face
  • Decrease or remove the shadow or wrinkle under the eye caused by the lower eyelid.
  • Fill or soften the appearance of the recessed scars.
  • Fill or soften the static wrinkles, particularly on the lower face.
  • Static wrinkles are those around the mouth and along the cheeks. These wrinkles are typically the result of a loss of collagen and skin elasticity.

Botox vs. Fillers

In summary, dentists can agree that the variations between botox and fillers are as follows:

  • Botox: This freezes muscles to stop wrinkles and wrinkles caused by facial expressions. Usually, they are located in the upper face, such as the forehead and around the eyes. Botox effects last for 3 to 4 months. 
  • Dermal fillers: Uses hyaluronic acid and similar substances for filling in or plumping areas that have lost volume and smoothness. This involves lines around the mouth, thin lips, and cheeks that have lost their fullness. They can also be used on forehead wrinkles, scars, and other areas that need extra volume for a smoother look. The effects of the dermal filler differ depending on which filler is used.

Since Botox and fillers are separate agents for different applications, Botox and fillers can often combine them in one procedure. For example, someone may use Botox to correct the lines between the eyes and the filler to correct the smile’s lines around the mouth. If you’re interested in getting botox and fillers in Lexington, KY, contact Park Hills Family Dentistry today! Our professional will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We look forward to seeing you soon.