Botox and Dermal Fillers: Expanding the Horizon of Dentistry

BOTOX and DERMA FILLERS are coveted twin-faces in the world of facial esthetics as well as cosmetic dentistry. Botox is a neurolysin derived from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which freezes or reduces the tonicity of the muscles after being injected while Dermal fillers contain injectable ingredients such as hyaluronic acid (Juvéderm, Restylane) and calcium hydroxyapatite fillers (Radiesse), that act as plumpers and add fullness to areas that have thinned due to aging. There is no doubt that Botox (since 2002) and dermal fillers (since 1981) are well known for their esthetic results in terms of smooth, wrinkle free skin and enhancing or replacing lost volume in the face by soft tissue augmentation, especially in the oral and perioral areas. Though in recent years, they have paved their path into Dental practice for both dental esthetics as well as therapeutic uses. In this article, we will focus on the mechanisms of their actions, their therapeutic uses in dentistry as well as other body parts, side effects and contraindications in maxillofacial areas along with their future implications in the world of dentistry.