Botox® Cosmetic is one of the most popular wrinkle-smoothing treatments in the world, but did you know that its applications extend far beyond reducing forehead lines and crow’s feet? Originally used to treat eye and facial spasms, the applications of botulinum toxin have expanded to include treatments to control excessive sweating in the underarms and palms of the hands, lessen the severity and frequency of migraine headaches, ease urinary incontinence, and more! The benefits of this incredible purified protein continue to span the bridge of both therapeutic and aesthetic applications. Quickly growing in popularity, Botox® injections to the masseter muscle not only helps ease the ache of TMJ caused by teeth grinding but can also slim and contour the jawline.
How does Masseter Botox® work?
Botox® injections work by preventing muscular contractions. In the aesthetic arena, this action helps smooth the skin that lays over a muscle that contracts and forms a wrinkle, like the eleven lines between our eyebrows. When someone repeatedly grinds their teeth or clenches their jaw, the masseter muscle, our primary muscle for chewing, will eventually increase in size and strength. Ultimately, this can alter the shape of the lower face and make the jawline appear more angular or masculine.
Botox® injections to the masseter muscle will relax and weaken the muscle over time and cause it to shrink back to its original size. This action will reduce bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching), tension in the jaw, and other symptoms of TMJ. Over time, Masseter Botox® will also create a slimmer, softer, less “square” jawline.
*In some cases, when teeth grinding and clenching are severe, Botox® may also need to be injected into the temporalis muscle, another integral muscle involved in the “chewing” action of the lower face for the best result.
Who is a good candidate for Masseter Botox® injections?
The best candidates for Botox® injections to the masseter muscles are patients who grind their teeth and experience jawline tension or other symptoms of TMJ and those with a wide, squared jawline who aspire to have a softer, more v-shaped face.
Who is NOT a good candidate for Masseter Botox® injections?
As with all Botox® injections, whether performed for therapeutic or aesthetic purposes, anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from neuromuscular disorders, is contraindicated to receive treatment. Patients with significant sagging to the skin of the lower face may also want to discuss whether this is an appropriate treatment for them with their Injection Specialist. This is because reducing the size of the masseter muscle may remove support and volume to the lower face and cause the jawline to appear even less defined.
In some cases, a full or squared lower face is actually caused by overdeveloped salivary glands. Botox® to the masseter muscle will not achieve a slimmer jawline if this condition is present.
Whether your goal is to reduce teeth grinding, contour your jawline, or BOTH – masseter Botox® may help you achieve it! The first step is to schedule a complimentary consultation with a Skin Artisans Injection Specialist to ensure you are a good candidate for this treatment. Call (952) 234-8414, text (952) 767-3163, or CLICK HERE to get started!