Botox Injections in the Masseter Muscle: A Treatment Option for Teeth Clenching and Grinding

Botox and teeth grinding are not topics often combined in casual conversation. However, there is a good reason that they should be. Millions of Americans struggle with habitual, unconscious teeth grinding and clenching. It often occurs at night during sleep, but can also occur during the daytime. Termed “bruxism”, the constant grinding and clenching lead to headaches (even migraines), mouth pain, and tooth damage.

How Can Botox Help with Teeth Grinding and Clenching?

Botox is often used to rejuvenate facial features and alleviate wrinkles and fine lines. However, it also plays many other roles. For instance, it can be used to treat hyperhidrosis when injected into the underarm area. It can also be used to treat teeth grinding and clenching. Botox injections in the masseter muscle can alleviate tooth grinding and clenching, but also help alleviate headaches and migraines.

What Is the Masseter Muscle?

The masseter muscle is a thick, long muscle that lies vertically beside the jaws and connects the bottom jaw to the cheekbone. In patients prone to teeth grinding and clenching, the masseter muscle is often overdeveloped and very thick. It becomes thicker through ongoing clenching and grinding, creating a vicious circle. Not only does the condition create pain, discomfort, and damage to the teeth, but it can also change your face’s shape, squaring it and making it more masculine.

How Do Botox Injections in the Masseter Muscle Help?

Botox injections in the masseter muscle relax the tissue, allowing tension to fade away. It eases facial discomfort and pain, and even reduces the visible size of the muscle below the skin. Because Botox enforces relaxation, it makes it difficult for patients to bite, grind, or clench hard, eventually leading to thinning of the muscle, thinning the face, reducing wear and damage to the teeth, and even alleviating bruxism-related migraines.

Thinning the Face and Defining the Jawline

Another benefit of Botox injections in the masseter muscle is that it can help thin the face and define the jawline. In patients who constantly grind and clench their teeth, the masseter muscle is often overdeveloped, leading to a square, masculine face. Botox injections relax the muscle, and will help thin the face over time, leading to a more feminine shape and a better defined jawline.

How Many Treatments Will It Take?

Each patient’s situation is unique. Most patients see significant improvement with just a single treatment. However, repeated injections are usually necessary to achieve long-term relief from teeth grinding and migraines. For most patients, treatments will be needed every six months.

As Botox wears off, it becomes possible to clench and grind with more strength. It sometimes requires several treatments to thin the masseter muscle enough to reduce its strength and thereby reduce the damage done through clenching. It may also be necessary to combine Botox injections with a mouthguard or other bruxism-specific treatments.

Are There Side Effects to Botox Injections in the Masseter Muscle?

Botox is FDA-approved and generally considered safe. However, you may notice some minor side effects, such as localized pain and minor swelling at the injection point. You will also notice that your jaw muscle does not feel as strong due to Botox’s relaxing effects.

Finding Relief from Clenching and Grinding

If you habitually clench and grind your teeth, Botox injections in the masseter muscle may be the key to finding relief. With a customized treatment plan, it is possible to relax the muscle, reduce tooth damage, reduce migraines, and begin to heal.