Botox® is the trade name for Botulinum Toxin, a neurotoxin in the form of a purified protein. The mechanism of action for Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) is really quite simple; it is  injected into facial muscles but really doesn’t affect the muscle at all. Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) works by blocking the transmitters between the motor nerves that innervate the muscle.

The areas typically treated with Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) for wrinkles are the forehead, between the eyes (glabellar region, “11 lines”), around the corners of the eyes (crow’s feet) and around the lips (smokers lines or gummy smile). There is no loss of sensory feeling in the muscles. Once the motor nerve endings are interrupted, the muscle cannot contract, causing wrinkles in the skin to smooth. The effects of Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) last approximately three to four months, at which time the patient will require re-treatment.

Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) has important clinical uses as an adjunct in facial pain and bruxism cases for patients with bruxism, chronic TMD and orofacial pain. Botulinum Toxin (Botox®) is also used to complement esthetic dentistry as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

Botox® is one of the most widely known and popular wrinkle reduction treatments available today. Botox® is a non-surgical prescription medication that temporarily reduces frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.

Receiving Botox® takes only a few minutes and there’s no need for anesthesia or down time. The injections are made using a very fine needle and result in minimal discomfort.

Generally, results are noticeable within two to ten days. To reduce the possibility of bruising/swelling, it is recommended to avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours and aspirin/anti-inflammatory medications for a period of two weeks prior to the procedure. As always, consult your physician before stopping any medications.

The esthetic effects of Botox® typically last three to four months, dependent upon each patient’s physical activity level. As the treated muscles regain movement, lines and wrinkles will begin to reappear and require re-treatment. With repeated treatment over time, these lines and wrinkles should appear less noticeable due to training the treated muscles to relax.

The most common side effects of Botox® injections are bruising, redness, and swelling. Other, rare side effects are possible and will be reviewed by the treating dentist. To avoid adverse reactions/results, do not manipulate the treated area for 2 hours after injections and maintain an upright position.

Botox® injections require no downtime and you will notice the effects in a few days. A full effect may take up to two weeks and will last for several months.

Is Botox® Painful?

Botox® consists of a series of mild injections which are extremely tolerable. On occasion minor bruising can occur but lasts only a few days.

Dr. Rehermann or Dr. Reimer will work with you to design your treatment to minimize your discomfort. This is because some areas of the face require two to five almost painless injections with a thin needle. The Botox® injections take about 15 minutes and no anesthesia is required.

Whenever you laugh, frown, concentrate or squint into the sun, your facial muscles contract and your skin creases. As you get older, your skin loses its elasticity and those creases deepen into lines that can become permanently etched on your face. Frown lines between your eyes can become particularly noticeable at a relatively young age, making you look angry or worried even when you’re not. By temporarily immobilizing the muscles you use to frown, Botox® can smooth out those lines, restoring a more youthful, less stressed expression to your face.

Injected into the skin, Botox® works by temporarily blocking nerve impulses to the injected muscles. By blocking nerve impulses Botox® is able reduce the muscle activity that causes unwanted fine lines and deep-set wrinkles. Many branches of medicine are using Botox® injections today to treat TMJ, Bruxism, migraines, and of course, for cosmetic purposes.

Dr. Rehermann and Dr. Reimer will evaluate your goals and the necessary steps to achieve them in a one-on-one complimentary consultation with you.

Botox® is priced by the “unit” and one vial of Botox® contains 100 units. Your treatment plan will determine the number of units you will need to have an effective outcome and the number of units will determine the cost. Unlike surgical or dermatological treatments such as dermabrasion, costs can vary depending on the severity of wrinkling in the skin in the treatment area and how many units are used during each treatment. We are happy to provide you with an estimate of the cost during your complimentary consultation.

Botox® is a prescription drug. In Wisconsin, Botox® can be administered by doctors, dentists and other allied health professionals. While it does not necessarily have to be administered in a doctor’s office, it can be beneficial to confirm the person who administers Botox® has been appropriately trained and credentialed.

Cosmetic Botox® injections have become a well-known procedure that can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the skin. As dentists, Dr. Rehermann and Dr. Reimer have received extensive training regarding the anatomy of the face and facial expression dynamics during dental school and during their training at the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. In addition, dentists are highly skilled at administering oral and facial injections due the daily injections they administer for anesthesia to numb dental patients prior to a procedure.

Dr. Rehermann and Dr. Reimer are also able to collaborate with Dr. Andersen, leveraging her extensive training and experience in cosmetic dentistry to offer comprehensive facial and dental esthetic treatments that consider facial and dental proportions for optimal results.

Our patients also appreciate the convenience of being able to visit us for general and cosmetic dentistry services at the same time as they’re receiving their Botox® treatment.