All About The Benefits of Masseter Botox
Botox is a popular injectable treatment, well-known for its effects relaxing the muscles and smoothing certain types of wrinkles and fine lines. In addition to its applications for facial rejuvenation, Botox can also be injected into the masseter muscles, which is one of the muscles that control the jaw.
For some patients, this application of Botox may sound a little odd. Many years ago, Dr. Biesman remembers being in a meeting with senior leaders from the company Allergan, who were looking down the road for potentially new and useful applications of Botox. There was a small group of physicians, Dr. Biesman among them, who were in agreement that using Botox in the jaw muscles was a really promising idea that needed to be explored. The scientists at Allergan felt there was no way this application of Botox would ever become popular; they simply couldn’t imagine it.
Several years later, Dr. Biesman and his team have performed two clinical trials on masseter Botox injections and studied the benefits of masseter Botox injections. Soon, Allergan will be able to begin advertising this particular use of Botox. When it comes to jaw injections, things have truly come full circle. But what exactly are the benefits of masseter Botox, and for what issues is it an effective treatment?
What are the Benefits of Masseter Botox?
There are two main reasons for injecting the jaw muscles with Botox. One reason is for facial shaping. The jaw muscle can be very prominent in some people. For example, when you bite your teeth together, you can sometimes see the jaw muscle pop out. Some people even have a square type of jaw because their jaw muscle is so prominent.
Some people like that contour, and that’s okay. By the same token, some people would like their jaw to look more slim. As such, one of the reasons Dr. Biesman uses Botox in the jaw muscles is for slimming the face.
The other main reason to use Botox in the jaw muscles is to relieve the symptoms of clenching and grinding the teeth. People who don’t clench or grind may not be able to relate to this, but for those who do, it can really be an issue. People who clench and grind their teeth will often break their teeth. They may also grind their teeth together at night so loudly that their partner stays awake or cannot sleep in the same bed. There are other times when people are so sore, or have so much pain from grinding, that they really have a tough time getting through the day.
Dr. Biesman often sees patients who have seen dentists, gotten mouth guards, and chewed right through their mouth guard, without experiencing any relief. Other patients try acupuncture and a range of other treatments, none of which have proven successful. Botox is a great treatment for relieving the discomfort associated with people who clench and grind their teeth.
Is Masseter Botox a Good Treatment for TMJ?
One point that’s really important concerns TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome, and its relation to the jaw muscle. It’s true that people who clench and grind their teeth may experience symptoms like those associated with TMJ. However, TMJ is a complex disorder that has multiple different causes, of which the jaw muscles may be one. Dr. Biesman likes to be clear with patients that he is not a TMJ specialist. If someone comes to Dr. Biesman saying their primary issue is that they have TMJ, he will typically advise them to seek a specialist first, whether that means an oral surgeon or a dentist. If the specialist recommends Botox as a form of treatment, that’s certainly something Dr. Biesman can provide.
The vast majority of the patients Dr. Biesman treats with Botox for their masseter muscles are either trying to pursue slimming of their face to get a more feminine appearance, or they clench and grind their teeth.
What to Expect from Masseter Botox Treatment
Botox is a minimally invasive, in-office treatment that is FDA approved and, assuming a skilled injector, generally very safe. Anesthesia and sedation are not required for Botox treatment. Botox injections are performed with a small needle, used to administer Botox into muscles along the lower face, the jaw, and the upper part of the neck.
While some patients may begin to see some positive effects right away, it usually takes up to two weeks before patients experience the full results of their Botox treatment. The effects of Botox are not permanent, and many patients return for “maintenance” injections every three or four months, allowing them to extend the positive effects and benefits of their masseter Botox treatments.
There is very little recovery time associated with Botox, and the side effects tend to be very mild. These effects can include some bruising or soreness around the injection site. Side effects of Botox usually resolve on their own within a matter of days. Click here to learn more and view Dr. Biesman’s Botox before and after photos.
Finding the Right Injector for Masseter Botox
Another important point to be aware of is that injection of Botox in the jaw muscles is actually fairly tricky. When performed well, the results can be truly outstanding. However, it is truly important to find an injector who is very experienced. With inexperienced injectors, you can get the smile being affected, you can get ineffective treatments of the jaw muscle, and you can get incomplete treatment for your clenching and grinding symptoms. The results can be suboptimal overall.
Patients are encouraged to do their homework, and find somebody who is really experienced and understands the anatomy of the jaw muscles. With that said, definitely think about jawline contouring with Botox for the jaw muscles if you are interested in either slimming your face or treating symptoms for clenching and grinding your teeth.
Learn More About the Benefits of Masseter Botox
If you have any further questions about getting masseter Botox, or believe you may be a good candidate for this treatment, the next step is to schedule a consultation. Make an appointment to speak with Dr. Biesman at your convenience.