Wow… How time flies when you’re truly having fun! It’s so hard for me to believe that this is my 7th issue of the Aesthetics edition of Oral Health for so many reasons. By the time this issue hits the press, I will have just returned from my 3rd IDS show in Cologne, Germany. I am sure I will have a lot to say about it in a future issue because it is truly an incredible experience that every dentist should have at least once in their career. How lucky am I to experience what is new or incoming to dentistry again!
In this issue, we have excellent dentists transforming smiles in so many ways. You can find everything from traditional methods to cutting-edge new techniques in this issue. I wish to thank all the authors for sharing all their hard work.
Several years ago, my editorial covered the ability (or inability) to use Botulinum Toxin in everyday dental practices in Canada. This was for either therapeutic or aesthetic treatments. At that time, very few provinces allowed its usage. It was a severe questioning of reality, “Who owns the face?” As dentists, who has the most knowledge of the anatomy of the head and neck region aside from dermatologists or plastic surgeons? It should have been a slam dunk as far as our regulating bodies allowing us to control administering this very safe, naturally purified protein. I am happy to say that in 2023, most provinces will now allow the use of Botulinum Toxin type A for therapeutic and aesthetic treatments in dental offices once the practitioner has completed and demonstrated proficiency in its usage.
Why am I so delighted about this? As I write this editorial, I am preparing for my qualifying Botox course because Manitoba will now allow its use by dentists. The information that I am reading gives me so much hope for treating patients with pain caused by Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. For years, I have struggled to treat patients who use splints or physiotherapy – could not help. Given the stressors we have endured these last few years, how many of our patients live with incredible discomfort and remain untreatable? Relaxing the Temporalis and Masseter muscles with Botox gives us a shot where we did not have it before (pardon the pun.)
As a cosmetic dentist, being able to use Botulinum Toxin for aesthetic reasons is also exciting. How did we treat extreme gummy smiles previously? Surgery. At least now, we can relax the upper lip levator muscles, which is far less invasive than other, more drastic treatments.
In this issue, Drs Janet and Warren Roberts give us all an insight into Botox use in the dental office. Please give it a read and, in your mind, explore the possibilities. Maybe after reading it, the answer to “Who owns the face” will be clear. We do.
About the Editor
Dr. Les Rykiss graduated in 1990 with his DMD from the University of Manitoba. Since then he has been in private practice in Winnipeg, MB. He has diplomate status with the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry (dip. ABAD).He has Fellowship Degrees in the International Academy for Dento-facial Esthetics(FIADFE), the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (FASDA), the International College of Dentists (FICD), and an Associate Fellowship in Laser Dentistry from the WCLI. He received his Cosmetic Dentistry training and is a graduate and Mentor at the Nash Institute for Dental Learning. Also he has also taught restorative and pediatric at the University of Manitoba. He is a member of the Manitoba Dental Association, Canadian Dental Association, Winnipeg Dental Society, the Canadian Academy for Esthetic Dentistry (CAED), The American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA), and past president of the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity. He is the current Cosmetic Editor for Oral Health Dental Journal and has written articles and has lectured in North America on cosmetic dentistry, digital dentistry, and hard and soft tissue laser use.
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