[Cosmetic facial surgery. The application of botulinum neurotoxin type A]

During the past decade, cosmetic facial treatments have become a standard element of the work of both dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons. A shift has taken place from invasive surgical treatments in the direction of minimally invasive treatments. One of the most frequently carried out minimally invasive treatments is the treatment with botulinum neurotoxin type A. Since botulism was first described in the 18th century, this neurotoxin has undergone a slow development to botox which is now manufactured. Botox attaches itself to the nerve endings and is subsequently taken up in the vesicles which contain acetylcholine. Botox blocks, there, the protein which is responsible for the production of acetylcholine. Botox reduces wrinkles in the skin at the muscles offacial expression and is therefore employed in areas with dynamic wrinkles. Appropriate areas include frown lines in the glabella, lines in the forehead, lateral periorbital lines, hyperactivity in the muscles of the upper lip, hypertrophy of the musculus masseter.