Monthly Archives: February 2021

Botox and Dentistry? | Palm Harbor Dentist

Just a decade or two ago, it was hard to convince dentists that tooth whitening and orthodontic procedures were necessary for anything other than cosmetic reasons. The main focus was to ensure their patient’s teeth were healthy and that nothing was wrong with them. These days, however, more and more dental professionals have realized that function and esthetic go hand-in-hand in achieving optimal health.

One way that cosmetic dentistry has changed is through the use of Botox. We all know it’s mainly used for wrinkles, but our jaws also have muscles and they’re prone to suffering from constant muscle spasms. Conditions such as bruxism, TMJ and others involving facial pain have been proven to benefit from Botox injections.

Safe for treating conditions involving facial pain, Botox injections may also prove useful in many other dental cases, such as:

  • Botox, along with dermal fillers like Juvederm or Voluma, are used and have been effective to some extent in treating high line cases without having to resort to far more invasive and aggressive forms of treatment.
  • In orthodontics, the teeth of patients with strong mentalis muscles are prone reverting back to pre-therapy positions. Botox can help with this by making the muscles weaker to allow more normal movement and prevent the undoing of the effects of the current treatment.
  • Patients who are still getting used to dentures can benefit from Botox, especially if they suffer from strong and consistent muscle contractions.

Minimally invasive and very easy to administer, the use of Botox injections can present a lot of benefits for both patients and dentists alike. So, if you find that you are experiencing any issues that can benefit from Botox, talk to your dentist for their suggestions.

If you’re interested in learning more about laser dentistry, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.

Breaking the Myth: Periodontal Disease Edition | Palm Harbor Dentist

gum disease myth

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, three out of four Americans suffer from some form of gum disease. Despite the major prevalence, only three percent of those individuals actually seek treatment for their gum disease. With more research indicating that gum disease may be linked to several other diseases, maintaining healthy teeth and gums have become more and more important. Here are some common things in which the AAP have deemed misconceptions about oral health that should help you distinguish signs of gum disease:

Bleeding gums are not important.

Red, swollen, and bleeding gums are an important sign of periodontal disease. If you notice bleeding while brushing or flossing on a regular basis, you should schedule a visit with your dental professional in order to be evaluated for periodontal disease right away.

You don’t need to floss every day.

Having a set oral health routine is incredibly important. This includes keeping up with brushing AND flossing. Doing one without the other is giving opportunities for harmful bacteria to wreak havoc on your dental health.

A tooth lost to gum disease is lost forever.

This is not true, but not exactly false either. While gum disease is a major cause of tooth loss, and you tooth is indeed lost forever, periodontists use procedures such as dental implants to replace teeth.

Poor oral hygiene is the only way to develop gum disease.

Good oral hygiene can definitely contribute to the prevention of gum disease, however there are other factors in which having good oral hygiene won’t matter. For example, using tobacco increases your chances of developing gum disease by a large amount.

If you’re interested in learning more about periodontal disease, contact Dr. Lieberman at 727-785-8017 to schedule a consultation today. Or visit www.dentist-lieberman.com for additional information.

Dr. Larry Lieberman proudly accepts patients from Palm Harbor and all surrounding areas.