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Jaw clenching and teeth grinding can leave the muscles of the jaw feeling tight, tired or sore. For some people, repeatedly clenching the jaw can also cause the masseter muscles to become enlarged or particularly strong.
At Radiance Skin Therapy & Laser Center in Madison, WI, BOTOX® can be injected into the masseter muscles to temporarily reduce excessive muscle activity. This treatment is commonly referred to as masseter BOTOX®, BOTOX® for jaw clenching, or BOTOX® for teeth grinding.
BOTOX® is FDA-approved for a number of medical and cosmetic indications; however, its use in the masseter for jaw clenching, bruxism and facial slimming is off-label.
The masseter is one of the primary muscles responsible for chewing. It runs along the side of the jaw and becomes firm when you clench your teeth.
For people who frequently clench their jaw or grind their teeth—a condition known as bruxism—the masseter can become very strong and overdeveloped.
This may contribute to symptoms such as:
• Jaw tightness or fatigue
• Soreness in the masseter muscles
• Morning jaw discomfort
• A feeling of constantly needing to clench
• An enlarged or square appearance through the lower face
Not every case of jaw pain or teeth grinding originates from the masseter, which is why proper evaluation is important before treatment.
BOTOX® is a neuromodulator made with botulinum toxin type A. It works by temporarily reducing the nerve signals that cause a treated muscle to contract.
When carefully injected into the masseter, BOTOX® reduces the strength of the muscle without eliminating its function.
The goal is not to prevent you from chewing or using your jaw normally. Instead, treatment is designed to decrease excessive masseter activity.
For patients whose clenching or grinding involves an overactive masseter, reducing that activity may help decrease feelings of jaw tension and muscle fatigue.
BOTOX® may help some patients who clench or grind their teeth, particularly when a strong or overactive masseter is contributing to their symptoms.
It is important, however, to understand that bruxism can have multiple causes. Stress, sleep patterns, medications, dental issues and other factors may contribute.
Masseter BOTOX® does not correct those underlying causes.
For this reason, BOTOX® may be one part of a broader treatment plan rather than a replacement for appropriate dental evaluation, a night guard when recommended, or treatment of other contributing factors.
There can also be an aesthetic effect from masseter treatment.
When a very strong masseter is repeatedly relaxed with BOTOX®, the muscle may gradually decrease in size. For someone whose masseters contribute to a wider or more square lower face, this can create a softer, more tapered facial contour over time.
This is often referred to as BOTOX® for jaw slimming or masseter slimming. It is important to distinguish muscle size from bone structure.
Masseter BOTOX® does not change the jawbone. It can only affect the portion of lower-face width created by the masseter muscle itself.
That distinction is one reason an in-person assessment is important. A wider jaw caused primarily by skeletal structure will not respond in the same way as a wider lower face caused by enlarged masseter muscles.
Not every masseter treatment has the same goal.
Some patients come to Radiance primarily because their jaws feel tight or fatigued from frequent clenching. Others are bothered by prominent masseter muscles and the width they create through the lower face.
Some patients have both concerns.
Your treatment plan should reflect your anatomy, muscle strength and goals rather than using the same dose or injection pattern for everyone.
At Radiance, we take a conservative, individualized approach to masseter treatment because the masseter is an important functional muscle.
Before injecting, your provider will evaluate your lower-face anatomy and ask you to clench so the size, strength and borders of the masseter muscles can be assessed.
BOTOX® is then strategically placed into each masseter.
Treatment itself is typically quick, and most patients return to their usual activities afterward. Temporary effects at the injection sites can include:
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Bruising
Some patients may temporarily notice a difference in chewing strength or muscle fatigue, particularly with foods that require prolonged or forceful chewing.
As with any BOTOX® treatment, additional risks and potential side effects will be discussed before treatment.
Masseter BOTOX® does not work immediately.
Patients may begin noticing reduced muscle activity during the first couple of weeks after treatment, with the effect continuing to develop afterward.
If the goal includes facial slimming, that change takes longer. The masseter gradually decreases in size after its activity has been reduced, so changes in facial contour generally develop over weeks to months rather than days.
Results are temporary, and treatments are typically repeated at regular intervals to maintain the effect. Over time, the timing between treatments may be adjusted based on your muscle activity, symptoms and individual response.
The goal of appropriately dosed masseter BOTOX® is to reduce excessive muscle strength while preserving normal function.
Because the masseter is involved in chewing, however, treatment should not be approached the same way as treating a cosmetic facial line.
Dose, placement, anatomy and existing muscle strength all matter.
This is also why we prefer to begin thoughtfully rather than simply treating every masseter with the same number of units.
Not exactly.
“TMJ” refers to the temporomandibular joint itself, and temporomandibular disorders can involve the joint, muscles and other structures surrounding it.
BOTOX® placed into the masseter affects the muscle. It does not repair or change the temporomandibular joint.
If your symptoms suggest a dental or joint problem rather than primarily muscular tension or overactivity, additional evaluation by an appropriate dental or medical professional may be recommended.
Masseter BOTOX® may be considered for patients who:
• Frequently clench their jaw
• Grind their teeth
• Experience masseter muscle tightness or fatigue
• Have particularly strong or enlarged masseter muscles
• Want to soften a square lower face caused by masseter hypertrophy
• Have both functional and aesthetic concerns related to the masseter muscles
BOTOX® is not appropriate for everyone. Your medical history, medications, anatomy and individual concerns should be reviewed before treatment.
Masseter treatment requires an understanding of both facial anatomy and muscle function. The goal isn't simply to weaken a muscle.
Too little treatment may not adequately reduce excessive activity, while inappropriate dosing or placement can potentially affect chewing, facial movement or symmetry.
At Radiance, we assess the strength and size of your masseters, your facial anatomy and what you actually want to accomplish before developing a treatment plan.
For some patients, that goal is primarily relief from excessive clenching. For others, it is facial contouring.
And sometimes, it is both.
If you frequently clench or grind your teeth, experience tight or overworked masseter muscles, or are interested in whether masseter treatment could soften the appearance of a wider lower face, we can evaluate whether BOTOX® is appropriate for you.
Schedule a consultation with Radiance Skin Therapy & Laser Center for BOTOX® in Madison, WI, by calling 608-240-0088 or booking an appointment online.
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