Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTeeth GrindingJaw Pain and ClenchingHeadachesBone FracturesCosmetic Changes to the FaceProcedureSide EffectsFinding a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Teeth Grinding
Jaw Pain and Clenching
Headaches
Bone Fractures
Cosmetic Changes to the Face
Procedure
Side Effects
Finding a Provider
Masseter Botox is injected into the masseter muscles—the main muscles in the jaw involved in chewing—to treat various medical conditions of the jaw and head.
Botoxis the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, a neurotoxin that blocks nerve signals to the muscle when injected. It’s often used to reduce wrinkles.
Botox may be injected into themasseter musclesto make the face appear slimmer, but it also helps relieve pain associated with teeth grinding (bruxism) and a clenched jaw (temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMD).
Okan Celik / Getty Images
Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, is the tightening and grinding of teeth while awake or asleep. Sleep-related bruxism is a common condition that affects 15–40% of children and 8–10% of adults.
Traditional treatments for teeth grinding have includedmouth guards, medications, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. A 2019 study found that Botox injected into the masseter muscle was more effective than traditional methods at treating bruxism.
Botox decreases the grinding force and frequency of bruxism and minimizes pain.
Jaw pain and clenching is a common problem that affects 5–12% of the population.
Researchers in a 2016 study found that Botox injected into the masseter muscle decreased jaw pain and clenching.
A jaw fracture may involve damage to the mandible or condylar bones. These injuries usually require complex surgeries that include the placement of miniplates, titanium screws, and wires.
Research has shown that injecting Botox into the masseter muscle may offer some benefits for healing after surgery.
The masseter muscles give the jawline its square shape.Botoxinjected into the masseter muscles weakens the muscles and can soften the shape of the face. Thus, masseter Botox can make the face appear slimmer.
The Masseter Botox Procedure
Receiving Botox in the masseter muscles is a quick procedure that does not require a hospital visit. Injections are given in a healthcare provider’s office. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes.
You may first receive anumbing cream. Then, a tiny needle is inserted and the Botox is injected into the muscles. The number of injections and amount of Botox injected for each will vary from person to person.
You can go back to normal activity after your treatment.However, it’s important to avoid rubbing or massaging the injection area. This can cause the Botox to move into other areas of the face, leading to facialweakness.
The injections will take a few days to a week to fully take effect. The Botox will last for three to four months.
How Much Does Masseter Botox Cost?Botox injections can be expensive. Depending on your location and provider, injections into the masseter could cost about $1500 per treatment.Insurance may cover treatment for jaw pain and grinding, but insurance usually will not pay for cosmetic treatments.
How Much Does Masseter Botox Cost?
Botox injections can be expensive. Depending on your location and provider, injections into the masseter could cost about $1500 per treatment.Insurance may cover treatment for jaw pain and grinding, but insurance usually will not pay for cosmetic treatments.
Side Effects of Masseter Botox
Masseter Botox is a safe and common procedure, but there are certain potential side effects users should be aware of, including:
Masseter Botox will not ruin a smile or change other facial features as long as the Botox does not migrate into other areas of the face.
How to Find Someone Who Is Qualified to Offer Masseter Botox Treatment
To find the right healthcare provider to administer masseter Botox, look for someone who is board certified in plastic surgery or dermatology and has experience with using Botox for masseter muscle concerns.
To find a board-certifiedplastic surgeonordermatologist, ask for a referral from a primary care healthcare provider or other providers. Before committing to a specific healthcare provider, ask about their experience and success using Botox on the masseter muscles.
Summary
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pihut M, Ferendiuk E, Szewczyk M, et al.The efficiency of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of masseter muscle pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and tension-type headache.J Headache Pain. 2016;17(1):29. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0621-1Abouelhuda AM, Kim HS, Kim SY, Kim YK.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363-367. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363UpToDate.Sleep-related bruxism (tooth grinding).Fernández-Núñez T, Amghar-Maach S, Gay-Escoda C.Efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of bruxism: systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019;24(4):e416-e424. doi:10.4317/medoral.22923MedlinePlus.Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Prevalence of TMJD and its signs and symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tension headaches.Dutra EH, Yadav S.The effects on the mandibular condyle of Botox injection into the masseter are not transient.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2019 Aug;156(2):193-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.08.023.Ng ZY, Yang T.A simple botulinum toxin injection technique for masseter reduction.Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(12):NP2104-NP2105. doi:10.1093/asj/sjab273American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Botulinum toxin.Proteeth Guard.Does Insurance Cover Botox for TMJ And Bruxism?
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pihut M, Ferendiuk E, Szewczyk M, et al.The efficiency of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of masseter muscle pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and tension-type headache.J Headache Pain. 2016;17(1):29. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0621-1Abouelhuda AM, Kim HS, Kim SY, Kim YK.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363-367. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363UpToDate.Sleep-related bruxism (tooth grinding).Fernández-Núñez T, Amghar-Maach S, Gay-Escoda C.Efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of bruxism: systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019;24(4):e416-e424. doi:10.4317/medoral.22923MedlinePlus.Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Prevalence of TMJD and its signs and symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tension headaches.Dutra EH, Yadav S.The effects on the mandibular condyle of Botox injection into the masseter are not transient.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2019 Aug;156(2):193-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.08.023.Ng ZY, Yang T.A simple botulinum toxin injection technique for masseter reduction.Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(12):NP2104-NP2105. doi:10.1093/asj/sjab273American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Botulinum toxin.Proteeth Guard.Does Insurance Cover Botox for TMJ And Bruxism?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pihut M, Ferendiuk E, Szewczyk M, et al.The efficiency of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of masseter muscle pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and tension-type headache.J Headache Pain. 2016;17(1):29. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0621-1Abouelhuda AM, Kim HS, Kim SY, Kim YK.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363-367. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363UpToDate.Sleep-related bruxism (tooth grinding).Fernández-Núñez T, Amghar-Maach S, Gay-Escoda C.Efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of bruxism: systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019;24(4):e416-e424. doi:10.4317/medoral.22923MedlinePlus.Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Prevalence of TMJD and its signs and symptoms.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tension headaches.Dutra EH, Yadav S.The effects on the mandibular condyle of Botox injection into the masseter are not transient.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2019 Aug;156(2):193-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.08.023.Ng ZY, Yang T.A simple botulinum toxin injection technique for masseter reduction.Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(12):NP2104-NP2105. doi:10.1093/asj/sjab273American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Botulinum toxin.Proteeth Guard.Does Insurance Cover Botox for TMJ And Bruxism?
Pihut M, Ferendiuk E, Szewczyk M, et al.The efficiency of botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of masseter muscle pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and tension-type headache.J Headache Pain. 2016;17(1):29. doi:10.1186/s10194-016-0621-1
Abouelhuda AM, Kim HS, Kim SY, Kim YK.Association between headache and temporomandibular disorder.J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;43(6):363-367. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2017.43.6.363
UpToDate.Sleep-related bruxism (tooth grinding).
Fernández-Núñez T, Amghar-Maach S, Gay-Escoda C.Efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of bruxism: systematic review.Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2019;24(4):e416-e424. doi:10.4317/medoral.22923
MedlinePlus.Temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Prevalence of TMJD and its signs and symptoms.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Tension headaches.
Dutra EH, Yadav S.The effects on the mandibular condyle of Botox injection into the masseter are not transient.Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2019 Aug;156(2):193-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.08.023.
Ng ZY, Yang T.A simple botulinum toxin injection technique for masseter reduction.Aesthet Surg J. 2021;41(12):NP2104-NP2105. doi:10.1093/asj/sjab273
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Botulinum toxin.
Proteeth Guard.Does Insurance Cover Botox for TMJ And Bruxism?
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