Cosmetic & Therapeutic Botox
Botox is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes muscles by blocking nerve signals. FDA-approved and safely used for over 20 years, Dr. Lokitis offers both cosmetic and therapeutic Botox with extensive training in head and facial anatomy.
Schedule a ConsultationCosmetic Applications
Reduce the appearance of forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet, bunny lines, lip lines, and neck bands. Results appear in 3-5 days and effects last 3-4 months.
Therapeutic Uses
Botox provides relief from TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, and jaw clenching — reducing jaw tension, headaches, facial pain, and tooth wear.
Why Choose a Dentist for Botox?
Dr. Lokitis has extensive training in head and facial anatomy and administers injections daily as part of her work. This expertise means precise placement for natural-looking results and effective therapeutic outcomes.
Botox for a jaw that won't let go
The muscles that close your jaw are among the strongest in the body for their size, and they are built for short bursts of chewing rather than for hours of sustained pressure. In people who clench and grind, that is exactly what they are asked to do — often all night, and often without their knowing. The result is a muscle that never fully stands down: tender to the touch, tight through the temples and cheeks, and steadily wearing down the teeth it closes on.
Because Botox temporarily relaxes muscles by blocking nerve signals, placing a small amount into those specific muscles reduces how forcefully they can contract. It does not stop you clenching — it limits how forcefully you are able to. For many people that is what eases jaw tension, headaches, and facial pain while the underlying cause is addressed.
That last point matters. Botox treats the force, not the reason for it. It sits alongside the other approaches rather than replacing them: a custom splint to protect the teeth, a look at whether the bite itself is contributing, and a conversation about sleep where that is relevant. See TMJ treatment for how the whole picture is assessed, teeth grinding and bruxism for the appliance side of it, and sleep apnea if your sleep is part of the picture.
One practical note: treatment for TMJ disorders and clenching is sometimes handled by medical insurance rather than dental, while cosmetic treatment generally is not. We are glad to check your benefits before you commit to anything.
Cosmetic Botox, in a little more detail
The lines Botox softens are the ones created by expression — the crease between the brows when you concentrate, the horizontal lines across the forehead when you raise them, the fan at the outer corner of the eye when you smile. Relaxing the muscle underneath allows the skin above it to settle.
While we offer cosmetic services, our focus is on achieving natural results that enhance your unique smile. In practice that means a conservative hand and a conversation about what you actually want to change, rather than a standard dose in standard places. If your interest is the smile itself rather than the skin around it, cosmetic dentistry may be the better starting point — and we'll say so.
The Botox experience
A conversation first
We talk about what is bothering you — whether that is a sore jaw in the mornings or a line you keep noticing — and about your medical history. Dr. Lokitis takes the time to listen, and you'll never feel rushed or pressured here.
The appointment itself
Treatment is done in the office with very fine needles. The injections take only a few minutes, and most people describe a quick pinch rather than pain. There is no recovery period — you can go back to your day straight afterwards.
Afterwards
Results appear in 3 to 5 days and effects last 3 to 4 months. Small, temporary redness or tenderness at the injection sites is common and settles quickly. Therapeutic results can take a little longer to register, because what you're noticing is a muscle easing off rather than a visible change in the mirror.
Reviewing it
Because the effect is temporary, there is room to adjust. We would rather start conservatively and refine at the next visit than overshoot — no upselling, no overtreatment, in line with how the rest of the practice is run.
Botox is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions, medications, and pregnancy or breastfeeding rule it out, which is why we go through your history before anything is planned. This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a recommendation for your particular case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Botox help with teeth grinding and jaw clenching? expand_more
Botox is a purified protein that temporarily relaxes muscles by blocking nerve signals. Placed in the muscles that do the clenching, it reduces how forcefully they can contract, which may ease jaw tension, headaches, facial pain, and wear on the teeth. It does not address why you clench, so it is usually used alongside a custom bite splint rather than on its own.
Is Botox for bruxism the same as cosmetic Botox? expand_more
It is the same product used for a different purpose, in different muscles, for a different reason. Cosmetic Botox softens lines of facial expression. Therapeutic Botox targets the muscles responsible for clenching and jaw tension. Some people have both at one appointment; many have only one.
Why have Botox done by a dentist? expand_more
Dr. Lokitis has extensive training in head and facial anatomy and administers injections daily as part of her work. That expertise means precise placement for natural-looking results and effective therapeutic outcomes. She trained in facial aesthetics through the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics.
How long does it take to work, and how long does it last? expand_more
Results appear in 3 to 5 days and effects last 3 to 4 months. Therapeutic treatment for clenching may take slightly longer to be felt, because what you are waiting on is the muscle easing off rather than a visible change.
Does it hurt, and how long does the appointment take? expand_more
The needles are very fine and the injections themselves are brief — most people describe a quick pinch. It is an in-office appointment with no recovery time, so you can go back to your day afterwards.
Will my face look frozen or different? expand_more
That is not the goal, and it is largely a question of how much is placed and where. While we offer cosmetic services, our focus is on achieving natural results that enhance your unique smile — that principle applies here as much as anywhere else in the practice.
Is therapeutic Botox covered by insurance? expand_more
It varies. Treatment for TMJ disorders and clenching is sometimes handled by medical insurance rather than dental, while cosmetic treatment generally is not. We're happy to check your benefits before you commit to anything, and we'll go over the cost with you first.
Botox in Vienna, VA — minutes from Tysons Corner
We're at 8292 B Old Courthouse Rd, Vienna, VA 22182, an easy drive from Tysons Corner, McLean, Dunn Loring, Merrifield, Oakton, Great Falls, Falls Church, and Fairfax. The office is open Monday through Thursday. Call (703) 893-1603 and we'll find you a time.
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Ready to Get Started?
Contact our Vienna office to schedule your appointment with Dr. Julia Lokitis.