BUCYRUS–A local dental practice is now offering a cosmetic procedure to help reduce facial lines and make the skin look younger.
CR Smiles-Bucyrus Dental Care, 117 South Poplar Street, is now accepting appointments for Botox therapy, an FDA-approved technique that temporarily reduces the appearance of facial wrinkles and erases the signs of aging.
Dr. William “Will” Grooms, D.D.S. of Bucyrus Dental Care, became certified in the cosmetic procedure in January through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics, or AAFE, an organization comprised of physicians, dentists, and health care professionals.
“I thought it would be a good service to offer. It gives our practice a way of increasing the comprehensive care for our patients,” said Grooms, who joined the practice last July. “I’m really excited to get started with it. It was a great course. I feel very prepared.”
Grooms said that in addition to its cosmetic advantages, Botox injections – which are tiny and quick – can also be used to treat chronic migraines, overactive bladder, and a variety of medical and dental conditions, including TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
The procedure, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes, uses a purified form of botulinum toxin, Grooms said.
When injected into the muscles, he said, Botox blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to the site, thereby reducing the appearance of crow’s feet and frown lines.
The number of injections and quantity depends on the extent of the area being treated, Grooms said, but results are usually visible within days. “When it takes effect, the relaxation of the muscles causes the lines to go away as long as the toxin is active, which is about three months.”
A customized treatment plan is done for each patient, Grooms said. With topical anesthetic, he said, the treatment can be virtually painless.
Side effects are normally minimal, he said and may include itching, burning, or swelling in the injection site.
Grooms, a native of Fairfax, Virginia, earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in 2017 and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry last year. He has also received advanced training in full mouth implants and restorative dentistry.