US dentists using Botox to treat TMJ disorder
An increasing number of dentists in the USA are using Botox to treat temporomandibular joint disorder, a common condition affecting the jaw.
In addition to treating TMJ disorder, the US Food and Drug Administration has recently approved the use of Botox to treat chronic migraines.
Many dentists are also offering Botox and dermal fillers for aesthetic reasons; cosmetic treatments are becoming increasingly popular, as people look for ways to preserve their youthful looks and delay the onset of signs of ageing. Dr Michael Skadron, a dentist from South Minneapolis, has been offering Botox and Juvederm treatments since January; he said that offering cosmetic treatments was a natural evolution of dentistry and a means of catering for the changing demands of the patient.
According to Marshall Shragg, executive director of the Minnesota Board of Dentistry, said that dentists are permitted to offer the treatments if they comply with the same regulations and offer the same quality of care as trained cosmetic specialists.
Dr Michael Sudit, from the Center for Smile Enhancement in Minnetonka, said that many more dentists are branching out into new treatments; he has been offering Botox for many years now and believes that it makes financial sense for dentists to expand their range of treatments.
In some states, general dentists are not allowed to offer Botox and facial cosmetic treatments, as authorities believe that these treatments are outside the scope of general dentistry.
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