Can I Get You Some Botox With That Root Canal?

By drodriguez Mar 13, 2011

You may be in for a surprise the next time you head in to the dentist for a teeth cleaning. Some dentist’s offices are now offering Botox treatments to go along with your white smile. A recent article from Time magazine discusses this latest trend in dentistry and what it can mean for patients across the country.

A dentist’s office may be the last place you would expect to be offered a Botox treatment, but many dentists would disagree. Dr. Michael Skadron, a Minneapolis dentist who offers Botox in his office, explains why he feels he is more than qualified to perform the procedure on his patients. Skadron says, “As a dentist, I’m very well-trained in the musculature and anatomy of the face and I feel no other doctor can give an injection better than a qualified and experienced dentist.”

Injecting Botox into patients for dental problems like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is something that dentists have been doing for a while now, so it is not that surprising that dentists have begun offering cosmetic treatments with a drug they are already familiar with. It also makes good business sense. Dr. Skadron has said that he would like to see about 10 percent of his business coming from these cosmetic procedures in the future.

Minneapolis seems to be leading the trend with about a half dozen dentists currently offering Botox treatments. States like California and Nevada do not yet allow dentists to perform these types of procedures, but many expect this could change.

What do you think about Botox treatments being offered in dentist’s offices?

Do you think dentists are qualified to perform these types of procedures and should it be legal in every state?

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Comments

by amywa65 | Chesterfield, MI

Mar 18, 2011

Can't we just age gracefully...?

by jandshyne | GILLETTE, WY

Mar 18, 2011

I think it's probably better than what we have here which is a local OB/GYN who quit doing OB after being sued and started a whole new side business IN her GYN office doing everything from Botox to laser treatments to now some ridiculously expensive new diet plan thing. I wouldn't see her for anything medically related let alone go to her "spa" inside her office where she practices medicine on one side and facials on the other.

by leadinglady | SANFORD, FL

Mar 16, 2011

I guess a dentist is better than getting it done at a botox party with no medical professional.

by mesha99 | Arvada, CO

Mar 14, 2011

I find it scary that you don't have to be an MD to inject Botox into someones face! If Dr. Michael Skadron feels he is more qualified than "any other doctor" to give facial injections then he may want to speak to the American Board (ABFPRS) or American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. Oddly enough their Board of directors do not include any dentists, however they do have one "guest examiner" with DDS behind his name.... however it follows MD. Beware of who you let inject your most noticed feature - your face.

by keva1022 | CANTON, MA

Mar 13, 2011

Ive heard about this too....I got an email from a local dentist that was offering it. It was so shocking to me at first that a dentist would be doing botox, But I have to admit that I did a little more research to find out more about it and priceing too. I think whatever makes someones self esteem better without hurting them is something that they should do without judgement from others.

by msfriendly | MONROE, WI

Mar 13, 2011

Dentists should stick to dentistry. No way would I let a dentist inject botox into me...or anyone for that matter!