As dental professionals increasingly expand their practice offerings to include facial aesthetics, understanding the various botulinum toxin options becomes crucial. While Botox remains the most well-known brand, Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) has emerged as a compelling alternative that offers unique advantages for dental practitioners entering the aesthetics field.
What is Xeomin?
Xeomin is a botulinum toxin type A produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, similar to other neuromodulators in the market. However, what sets Xeomin apart is its unique formulation. Xeomin is the only botulinum toxin drug that is completely free of complexing proteins, earning it the nickname “the naked toxin.”
This purified formulation contains only the active botulinum toxin type A without the additional proteins found in other brands. The toxin works by temporarily blocking nerve signals to targeted facial muscles, reducing their ability to contract and subsequently smoothing dynamic wrinkles and lines.
For dentists, Xeomin offers the same mechanism of action as other botulinum toxins but with some distinct characteristics that can benefit both practitioners and patients.
How Does Xeomin Compare to Botox & Other Botulinum Toxins?
Key Differences from Botox and Dysport
- Protein-Free Formulation: The most significant difference is Xeomin’s lack of complexing proteins. This reduced molecular size does not translate into diffusion differences, and its potency labeling is identical to that of onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox). This means unit-for-unit dosing is typically the same as Botox.
- Reduced Antigenicity: With a reduced content of stabilizing protein, Xeomin should have reduced antigenicity. This theoretically means a lower risk of developing neutralizing antibodies over time, which could be particularly important for patients requiring long-term treatment. Across all Xeomin clinical trials (n=2748) no patients developed treatment resistance due to neutralizing antibodies.
- Storage Requirements: Xeomin’s extended shelf life and simplified room-temperature restrictions indicate that complexing proteins are not necessary for botulinum toxin drug stability. This can be advantageous for dental practices managing inventory.
Clinical Efficacy Comparison
Clinical evidence to date suggests that Xeomin is an effective treatment that does not differ from Botox in terms of its potency, duration of effect or adverse reaction profile. Xeomin has been studied in two pivotal clinical trials simultaneously treating three key areas of the upper face: forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet.
Research has consistently shown that patients can expect similar results whether using Xeomin or other established botulinum toxins, making the choice often come down to availability, pricing, and individual patient response.
How is Xeomin Sold?
Xeomin is available and can be purchased through authorized distributors in Canada, including Avari Medical and Merz.
The product typically comes in 100-unit vials.
Xeomin Pricing:
Pricing for Xeomin can vary based on several factors, however the list price per vial in Canada is $330/vial.
PTIFAT graduates receive the option to get 12 vials for $3300 ($275/vial) or 7 vials for $1,980.02 ($282.86/vial) through Avari Medical. To open an account and order Xeomin, click here.
Many dental practices find Xeomin competitively priced compared to Botox and are keen to work with dental offices incorporating their product.
Storage and Handling
One advantage for dental practices is Xeomin’s storage requirements. The product can be stored at room temperature before reconstitution, which simplifies inventory management compared to products requiring refrigeration from the time of manufacture.
Clinical Studies Supporting Xeomin
One21 Technique
The One21 technique yielded better results than the standard 5-point treatment in reducing glabellar dynamic lines with Incobotulinumtoxin-A, especially for asymmetric lines of the glabella or the involvement of muscle groups other than the procerus and corrugator. View clinical paper here.
Aesthetic Applications
Xeomin met the primary endpoint of Treatment Success at Day 30 in clinical trials, demonstrating its effectiveness for cosmetic applications. The clinical trials focused on the composite endpoint of both investigator and subject assessment, showing none or mild wrinkles with at least a two-grade improvement.
Long-Term Safety Profile
Studies have shown effective long-term treatment with Xeomin without neutralizing antibody induction during continuous treatment for over 5 years. This is particularly significant for practices considering long-term patient relationships in aesthetics.
Comparative Studies
Research has shown Xeomin to be highly effective and well-tolerated for various applications, with 11 studies and 3653 patients comparing its efficacy to established botulinum toxin preparations showing equivalent results.
A notable five-year experience study concluded that Xeomin’s therapeutic efficacy against cervical dystonia, blepharospasm and spasticity has been proven in large randomized controlled trials, demonstrating the product’s versatility beyond cosmetic applications.
Xeomin as a Consideration for Dental Offices
Professional Advantages
- Patient Safety: The protein-free formulation may reduce the risk of allergic reactions in sensitive patients.
- Practice Growth: Adding Xeomin to your service offerings can significantly enhance practice revenue while providing valuable patient care.
- More Precision: Less chance of product diffusion, practitioners can achieve more targeted results and minimize unintended effects.
- Room Temperature Storage: easily portable and less risk to potential product loss due to power outages
Patient Benefits
- Natural Results: Xeomin provides a natural look for treating frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.
- Proven Safety: With nearly 15 years of clinical experience worldwide, patients can feel confident in the treatment’s safety profile.
- Reduced Antibody Risk: The protein-free formulation theoretically reduces the long-term risk of treatment resistance.
Getting Started with Xeomin in Your Dental Practice
Before offering Xeomin treatments, dental professionals should:
- Complete appropriate training by completing PTIFAT’s Level 1 and Level 2 course
- Understand facial anatomy and injection techniques (covered in Level 1)
- Learn proper patient consultation and consent procedures (covered in Level 2)
- Practice reconstitution and injection protocols (covered in Level 2)
Ready to Consider Xeomin?
Xeomin represents a compelling option for dental practices looking to expand into facial aesthetics. Its protein-free formulation, proven efficacy, and competitive positioning make it an attractive alternative to more established brands. With proper training and implementation, Xeomin can help dentists successfully grow their practice while providing patients with safe, effective aesthetic treatments.
The key to success lies in thorough preparation, proper education and training, and building strong relationships with patients who trust your expertise in oral and facial anatomy. As the facial aesthetics market continues to grow, products like Xeomin provide dental professionals with excellent tools to meet patient demand while enhancing practice profitability.
Ready to learn more about integrating Xeomin into your dental practice? View PTIFAT’s comprehensive training program and ongoing support for dental professionals entering the facial aesthetics field.
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