This article is for informational purposes only. It is important to consult an experienced and skilled healthcare professional to discuss your treatment goals. It’s highly recommended to consult your professional to discuss the benefits and potential risks before undergoing the masseter botox treatment.
A masseter is a muscle on the side of your face. It helps with chewing, swallowing, speech, and stabilizing the jaw. Botox injection can reduce the symptoms of teeth grinding or clenching caused by the muscle. It also helps in shaping your jawline. In this regard, Botox injection acts as a muscle relaxant. This injection employs a neurotoxin known as onabotulinum toxin A, which temporarily paralyzes the muscle.
Botox injections usually help lessen the visibility of forehead wrinkles. However, when injected into the masseter muscles, Botox also changes the shape of your face and reduces facial pain. One of the main causes of overactive masseter muscles is stress. According to a 2020 study, people who are under stress have an astounding 97% increased risk of bruxism, a disorder in which they clench or grind their teeth. A wider facial appearance, jaw pain, and discomfort can result from this overstretching of the masseter muscle.
This process is known as masseter Botox. Continue reading to learn more about the masseter Botox, its procedures, its before and after results, benefits, and side effects.
What is masseter Botox?
Masseter Botox is a non-surgical procedure. The process involves injecting botulinum toxin type A (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Juveau) into the masseter muscle at the angle of the jaw. Therefore, unlike traditional Botox treatments, high dosages and deeper injections of masseter muscle Botox are required to reach the masseter muscle. This treatment causes the hyperactive jaw muscles to relax slowly. It also helps to decrease any related stress and pain and gives you more contoured and sharp facial features.
How does masseter Botox work?
Four muscles aid in chewing. The masseter muscle is one of them. This muscle runs from the base of your cheekbone to the bottom of your mandible, along your lower jaw. When you clench your teeth, you may feel their presence. Some people have bigger masseter muscles from birth.
The lower face may appear square and heavy if the masseter muscle is big or hyperactive. Injecting Botox into this muscle prevents nerve signals to the muscle, temporarily paralyzing it. This causes the muscle to become less active, which reduces its size and gives the face more defined, slimmed, and sharp features.
How long does Masseter Botox take?
A masseter Botox procedure involves 4 injections, two on both sides. The treatment usually takes less than half an hour.
How long does masseter Botox last?
The benefits of jaw Botox, also known as masseter Botox, usually last 3-6 months. Your muscle mass, metabolic rate, and the quantity of Botox applied can all affect how long it lasts. Follow-up treatments on a regular basis are necessary to achieve expected and long-lasting results.
The Procedure for Masseter Botox
Getting Botox is the first step in the procedure. You meet a provider who discusses your goals and explains the procedure in detail.
Before the treatment
Firstly, you should have an appointment with a medical expert. They assist you in determining the appropriate dosage for your masseter muscle by examining your facial features. They may also recommend a visit to your dentist to discuss additional options for treating teeth grinding.
This planning guarantees the expected outcomes of the treatment. They will ensure that you are well informed about the advantages and potential drawbacks of masseter muscle Botox. To make sure you’re ready for anything that lies ahead, it’s important to have everything clear before moving forward.
During the treatment
During the procedure, the healthcare providers cleanse your skin to reduce the chance of infection. They will give you anesthesia to numb the treated area. Next, they prepare the botulinum toxin in a syringe with a thin needle. After that, they will insert the syringe into the masseter muscle. After injecting the toxin, they remove the syringe slowly. They can repeat the procedure on the opposite side. The number of syringes depends on the treatments you need. Usually, the process takes 15 minutes.
After the treatment
After receiving masseter muscle Botox, you can resume your regular activities. However, you should refrain from applying pressure or straining your jaw area for the duration of the day. This treatment lessens the chance that Botox will extend beyond the targeted muscles.
The therapeutic effects will become visible within two weeks, but the jaw-slimming outcomes may take one to two months to become noticeable. It may take one to two months for the Masseter Botox results to become noticeable. The effects last for three to four months. Repeat treatments are required to get long-lasting results.
Masseter Botox Before and After
The images given below show the Masseter Botox before and after results.
Masseter Botox patients usually get benefits in just a few days. Before you got masseter Botox, your jawline may have had a boxy form due to overactive masseter muscles.
Viewing masseter Botox before and after results, you might notice a smaller, more angled face, bigger cheeks, or less pain a few days after the procedure.
Masseter Botox Gone Wrong
Incorrect injection techniques, such as injecting the Botox too deeply into the muscle or failing to target the proper locations, can cause Masseter Botox gone wrong. So, if you’re considering getting Masseter Botox, it’s advisable to consult with a skilled healthcare professional who can guide you through the therapy.
- A skilled masseter Botox specialist will reduce the masseter muscle while preserving normal chewing and biting abilities.
- To achieve the tapering effect while still allowing the patient to smile, they do not inject the toxin into the parts of the muscle nearest the mouth.
The issues caused by Botox masseter are:
- Uneven or asymmetrical smiles
- Difficulty laughing or smiling
- a drooping or paralyzed upper lip
- unwanted wrinkles around the mouth
Some of these side effects may result from the toxin diffusing (spreading) into nearby muscles rather than from an overdose or improper placement of Botox. For instance, the poison may spread to harm the masseter muscle, which is close to the depressor anguli oris, which governs smiling.
Allergic responses, muscle weakness, changes in vision, trouble breathing or swallowing, and severe pain are uncommon but dangerous adverse effects. If you face any of these symptoms, get emergency medical attention.
How much Botox do you need for a masseter?
According to Alagappan Meyyappan (expertise in nonsurgical facial treatments), the masseter muscle is a powerful masticatory muscle that is necessary for chewing food. When chewing, too much force can induce inflammation and myofacial pain. Botulinum toxin and Botox are necessary to reduce the strain on the muscle. It depends on how enlarged the muscle is. A few visits are necessary to get the desired therapeutic outcome.
What Are The Benefits Of This Procedure?
Botox helps tighten and smooth the skin to improve your facial expression. Masseter Botox offers numerous additional advantages, such as the following:
- We reduced jaw pain and swelling by relaxing this muscle to lessen its contraction during nighttime teeth-grinding or chewing (bruxism).
- There is a decreased chance of TMJ issues, such as clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth
- There is a decrease in the visibility of mouth wrinkles and vertical lip lines
- Deep nasolabial folds appear less prominent.
- Age-related or trauma-induced reduction in muscle hypertrophy (enlargement) occurs.
- There is a reduction in the number of chewing lines that form when you open your mouth wide for extended periods of time.
Understanding the Risks of Masseter Botox Injections
Botox in Masseter muscle is generally considered safe. However, there are some potential side effects associated with it.
- The injection site may be swollen, painful, or even bruised. Patients occasionally experience headaches or begin to feel as though they have the flu.
- Very rarely, patients have crooked smiles or unintentional drooling. This may occur if nearby facial expression muscles are affected by some botox; however, the effect is transient.
- As their masseter muscle shrinks, aged patients with looser skin along the jawline may notice an increase in the appearance of their jowls. This is because the large muscle was supporting the skin, and when the muscle gets smaller, the skin may also begin to droop.
- While redness and slight swelling at the injection sites are typical, a negative reaction or allergy to masseter treatments is uncommon. Before choosing this operation, always see a facial aesthetics expert. They will provide guidance on what to expect and strategies for preventing teeth grinding after injections in your masseter muscle.
How Much Does Masseter Botox Cost?
How much is Masseter Botox? Masseter botox cost depends on the location of the practice and the specialist doing the procedure. However, in many instances, a single treatment for both sides of the face often costs between $400 and $600.
Real-Life Example of Masseter Botox
Helloitsa
Before and after Masseter Botox 30 units on each side (3 weeks post), and 0.5 mL Restylane to correct asymmetry in lips (2 weeks post). I’m so happy with the results so far! No more jaw pain.
Source: https://www.reddit.com
brianna_rose_blossom
1 Month Before/After Masseter Botox (20 units each side). I’m so happy with the results!
Source: https://www.reddit.com
Conclusion
Masseter Botox is a successful non-surgical procedure that provides both cosmetic improvement and therapeutic relief. It reduces tension, jaw pain, and teeth grinding by relaxing the hyperactive masseter muscle. It also shapes the face to make it appear thinner and more balanced.
Although it has some small risks, such as swelling or asymmetry, the positive results of the therapy become visible within weeks and last up to six months. This makes it a safe and popular choice for those seeking more angled and contoured facial features.
Finding the Right Expert for Masseter Botox Injections
Looking for a skilled professional for Masseter Botox treatment? A qualified and experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist can be the ideal healthcare provider to help you with this procedure. Before getting masseter Botox, you must consult your trusted healthcare professional for recommendations on where to find a dermatologist with experience using Botox on the masseter muscles.
