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Headaches. A sore jaw. Damaged teeth. Anyone who has experienced Bruxism, the term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching, is all too familiar with these symptoms.\u00a0Oftentimes, your dentist may prescribe a night guard.\u00a0But when that doesn\u2019t cut it, masseter Botox may be the solution.<\/p>\n
The masseter muscle runs along the back of the jaw, from the cheekbone to the lower jawline, and its\u00a0main\u00a0role is to move the jaw up and down while you chew. It also has a\u00a0major\u00a0impact on the shape of your face, which is why masseter Botox can alter your appearance. Though masseter Botox\u00a0was designed\u00a0to help alleviate teeth grinding and the side effects that come with it, it also has aesthetic benefits,\u00a0which has made\u00a0it\u00a0popular\u00a0beyond the dentist\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cBotox is a neuromodulator that blocks certain chemical signals from nerves that make muscles contract,\u201d says Clifton, NJ dermatologist\u00a0Hee Jin Koh, MD. \u201cBotox in the masseter essentially decreases masseter muscle contraction, which then causes masseter muscle to atrophy or shrink in size.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read on for everything you need to know about masseter Botox.<\/p>\n
View our Masseter Botox Before and After Gallery here. <\/p>\n
\u201cMasseter Botox is when Botox (the brand name for one neuromodulator) or another neuromodulator is injected into the\u00a0jaw\u2019s\u00a0masseter muscle to help alleviate tension (from grinding or clenching teeth) and slim the jawline,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Koh says.\u00a0\u201cIt is an off-label usage.\u201d<\/p>\n
The masseter muscle\u00a0is used\u00a0for chewing. It can be hypertrophic, and Botox can help relax it, explains New York dermatologist\u00a0Anna Karp, DO.\u00a0\u201cBy temporarily reducing the\u00a0muscle\u2019s\u00a0activity, Botox injections cause the masseter muscle to shrink, and this reduces tension,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Karp says.\u00a0\u201cThis can alleviate discomfort caused by clenching and grinding and potentially lessen headaches. It can also help slim\u00a0someone\u2019s\u00a0face.\u201d<\/p>\n
It can last anywhere between three to six months. \u201cI find, clinically, that it lasts longer than Botox in other parts of the face,\u201d Dr. Karp adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cMasseter Botox reduces masseter muscle contraction, and therefore, the muscle thins out over time,\u201d Dr. Koh says.<\/p>\n
However, Dr. Karp cautions that it\u2019s only effective for slimming the face if the masseter muscle is hypertrophic. \u201cIf you have a normal size masseter muscle, you might not notice much of a difference,\u201d Dr. Karp says. \u201cWhen relaxed with Botox, it can create a more V-shaped and defined jawline.\u201d<\/p>\n
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and people with neuromuscular disorders or skin conditions near the injection site should all steer clear of masseter Botox.\u00a0\u201cI would not recommend to those with jowls and skin laxity of the lower face, since masseter Botox can exacerbate the appearance of jowls.\u201d<\/p>\n
It depends on the dose, but typically the cost can range from $500 to $1,000. Men usually need more units.<\/p>\n
Its (off-label) benefits are that it helps reshape the jawline. For those with TMJ symptoms, such as soreness, it has perks\u00a0in that realm.\u00a0\u201cIt addresses issues caused by tight masseter muscles, including teeth grinding (bruxism), jaw tension\/pain and headaches,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Karp says.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour provider (dermatologist or plastic surgeon) will examine you to\u00a0make sure\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0a good candidate for masseter Botox,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Koh says.\u00a0\u201cYour provider will ask you to clench your teeth to palpate the area for injection. Most providers inject without numbing.\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0usually minimal bleeding and a low chance of bruising.\u201d<\/p>\n
Expect a series of injections\u2014typically three to four\u2014on each side of the face, directly into the muscle through the skin.\u00a0\u201cThe injections are not as painful as Botox in other areas of the face, but you can have some soreness after,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Karp says.<\/p>\n
Recovery and downtime afterward are very minimal.\u00a0\u201cYou can do everything normally after masseter Botox injection,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Koh says.<\/p>\n
However, it takes at least a couple of weeks to see results.\u00a0\u201cMost people take a month to see the full effect of the treatment,\u201d\u00a0Dr. Karp says.\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0possible to have bruising or temporary swelling after the procedure. You want to go to someone who understands facial anatomy and\u00a0is experienced\u00a0with\u00a0doing this type of\u00a0procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n
To alleviate jaw pain, Dr. Karp recommends heat therapy to relax tight muscles or cold therapy to help with inflammation. Some people benefit from using mouthguards. She says,\u00a0\u201cFor jawline slimming, facial massage and gua sha are alternatives, but the results\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be as powerful as those achieved with neurotoxin.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Koh agrees, adding,\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m\u00a0not aware of any other non-invasive procedures that can achieve the same or as good of a result as masseter Botox.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n