Jaw Reduction BOTOX® Injections
Although many people are aware that BOTOX® and other neuromodulators are frequently used to treat wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes, one of the lesser-known areas of treatment is the masseter muscle. This treatment can help reduce jaw width and reduce the appearance of a strong and square jawline, as well as help with teeth grinding and jaw disorders.
The Masseter
The masseter is one of the facial muscles that allow for clenching and chewing. It is located on the lower portion of the face along the jawline. It connects the lower jawbone to the cheekbone. You can feel this muscle contract when you clench your teeth. In women, this masseter can be enlarged from clenching and grinding teeth at night, excessive gum chewing, or from hereditary and/or ethnic influences. Using BOTOX® on the masseter temporarily blocks nerve signals, relaxing the muscle. This can temporarily help make the face look slimmer, as well as help with teeth grinding and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Masseter BOTOX® can also help relieve temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms. TMJ is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Many people experience TMD, which are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw. When BOTOX® is injected into the masseter muscles, it relaxes the muscle which can help relieve TMJ symptoms including jaw pain, headaches, poor range of motion in the jaw, and jaw locking.
How Masseter Injections Work
Masseter injections, also known as jaw reduction injections or masseter muscle BOTOX®, work by injecting botulinum toxin into the masseter muscle to temporarily block nerve signals. By blocking nerve signals, it relaxes and limits the movement of the muscle. As the muscle relaxes, it can help make a square face appear more round or in a V-shape.
The process of getting masseter injections is relatively quick. After discussing your desired results with a doctor, it will help determine how many units of BOTOX® will be needed to relax the masseter muscle. For many people, this may be around 25-30 units per side. The injections will likely take around 15-20 minutes and you can resume most activities afterwards.
Doctors will advise you to not rub or put pressure on the area or do any strenuous exercising for 24 hours after receiving the injections. Most patients report minimal discomfort when receiving BOTOX® injections. To reduce any pain, your healthcare provider may apply ice or a numbing gel to the area before treatment.
Benefits
There are several benefits of masseter injections. Aesthetically, the injections can create a tapering appearance of the jawline. This can create a more slim-looking face, or round out a more squared appearance. The treatment can also help with sagging skin around the jawline and facial muscles.
Beyond the cosmetic advantages of these injections, they can also help reduce symptoms for people dealing with teeth grinding or TMJ. These conditions are often characterized by involuntary clenching and grinding. Reducing this will also help enhance oral health as clenching and grinding teeth can cause gum recession and tooth sensitivity. Reducing clenching and grinding can also lead to a reduction in headaches.
Masseter BOTOX® for Women vs. Men
Both men and women can benefit from masseter BOTOX®, however, the relaxation of the muscle can achieve different goals for men and women.
Some women prefer a more feminine look, which is characterized by a heart shape or inverted triangle This means the lower face is narrower than the upper and the jaw is tapered. Some women have a more squared jawline due to their inherent bone structure, but some of this appearance is from the enlargement of the masseter muscle. Masseter injections can help relax the muscle, making the face appear more tapered.
Aside from the aesthetic benefits of masseter injections, the treatment can also help women and men with teeth grinding, jaw pain, headaches and more. Men will likely require more units of BOTOX® than women.
To learn more about masseter BOTOX®, or set up an appointment in Lincolnshire or Glencoe, contact Advanced Dermatology today.
