What Are Neuromodulators?

Can Neuromodulators Be Beneficial for Dental Issues?

The term “neuromodulators” is a big word for a group of injectable medications you have likely heard of. These include Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomin®. They are called neuromodulators because they affect how the nerve cells in your body interact with your muscle cells. Botox® is an excellent example. When injected into the body, Botox® can affect nerve transmissions and temporarily paralyzes muscles to keep them from overacting. This is helpful for dynamic wrinkles, such as those in your forehead, that are created when you move your face.

Other Uses for Botox®?

While neuromodulators may be most famous for their wrinkle-releasing properties, they actually have applications in for dentistry-related conditions. This includes bruxism, or teeth grinding. By injecting Botox® into strategic areas around the jaw muscles, Dr. Civin can eliminate overactive jaw muscles that cause repeated clenching. The use of neuromodulators is beneficial for patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) whose pain and discomfort has been unrelieved with wearing a night guard or mouth guard. Through Botox® injections, Palm Beach Gardens dental patients can find relief from TMD in as little as one day or up to one week.

Neuromodulators are also used to treat “gummy” smiles where the upper lip may appear short and/or the teeth appear excessively long. When Botox® is injected into the upper lip muscles, this paralyzes the lip muscles so the lip does not rise up to show the gums when smiling. Dr. Civin can evaluate your gum-to-lip ratio to determine if neuromodulator injections may be the right intervention for your smile.

Neuromodulators in the Dentist Office

While it may sound unusual to receive Botox®, Dysport® or Xeomin® injections at your dentist’s office, consider how uniquely qualified cosmetic dentists like Dr. Civin are to perform facial rejuvenation procedures in Palm Beach Gardens. Dr. Civin has a strong aesthetic eye and long-time working knowledge of facial anatomy and muscle movements, especially how it relates to a person’s smile. He offers both neuromodulators and dermal fillers, such as Restylane®, Perlane®, Belotero® and Radiesse® at his office to help patients improve their smiles and their overall facial appearance. Unlike neuromodulators, fillers help to add volume to facial wrinkles, such as around the mouth.

Ask Dr. Civin How Neuromodulators Can Help You!

To learn more about how neuromodulators can improve your appearance and benefit your dental conditions, please call our Palm Beach Gardens cosmetic dentist office at (561) 624-2224.