From Jaw Clenching to Jaw Slimming: A Look at Masseter Muscle Treatment

The masseter muscles are likely the biggest strongest muscles in your face, residing right at the corner of your jawline, below your ears. You can probably feel them flex when you place your hands over the rear corner of your jawlines and bite down. Maybe you wake up every morning to a painful pop as you stretch your jaw upen for the first time. Masseter Tox can help provide relief from this problem (bruxism). 

     Tox, or neuromodulator such as Dysport or Botox can be injected into the masseter muscles for two purposes: to reduce the strength with which you clench or grind your teeth in order to reduce jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, or to slim the muscle in order to reduce the width of the lower face in the area of the masseter muscle. Truly, both of these effects occur at the same time when the masseters are treated with Tox. 

     Every person is different, but usually 3-4 injections are needed on each side of the face, totaling roughly 40-75 Dysport units, or roughly 16-28 Botox units. Masseter tox may cost up to $350 a treatment on the high end (28 u Botox). 

     Masseter tox should be re-treated about every 3-4 months to maintain results, especially if the desired result is jaw slimming, as this result relies on muscle atrophy. It's a good idea to discuss jaw clenching and grinding with your dentist as well. Your dentist may also offer treatment for relief of bruxism on top of what masseter tox provides.