Concerns · Face
Bruxism and enlarged masseter: botulinum toxin in the chewing muscle
Bruxism is the habit of clenching or grinding the teeth, often during sleep. The overload makes the masseter, the main chewing muscle, increase in volume, which widens the lower third of the face and can cause pain and tension in the jaw. Botulinum toxin applied to the masseter relaxes the muscle, reduces the force of contraction and slims the contour, as a complement to dental follow-up. At Yamagata Dermatologia, in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, it is performed by dermatologists after a medical evaluation.
Why it happens
The masseter is a strong muscle located at the angle of the jaw, responsible for chewing. In bruxism, it works excessively, clenching or grinding the teeth, often unconsciously, during sleep or at times of stress. Like any overworked muscle, it increases in volume.
The result can be a squarer lower face, pain or tiredness in the jaw on waking, headaches and tooth wear.
How the evaluation is done
The dermatologist assesses the volume and strength of the masseter by asking the patient to clench their teeth, observes the facial contour and talks about the symptoms and dental follow-up, to define the dose and injection points.
Recommended treatments
- Botulinum toxinRelaxes the masseter, reduces clenching force and slims the contour.
- Chin fillerBalance of the lower face when there is also a weak chin.
Combined treatments
Masseter toxin can be combined with application to the upper face or neck in the same session, according to the plan. Follow-up with the dentist continues in parallel.
All procedures are recommended and performed after an individual medical evaluation. Results vary from person to person.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does botulinum toxin cure bruxism?
No. The toxin reduces the force of masseter contraction and, with it, the overload on the teeth and joint, but it does not eliminate the habit. Follow-up with the dentist, including a night guard, remains important.
Will I have trouble chewing?
The dose is planned to reduce excessive force without preventing chewing. In the first few days, some people feel tired when chewing very hard foods, which improves over time.
Will my face look slimmer?
When the masseter is enlarged, relaxing the muscle reduces its volume over a few weeks, which slims the lower contour of the face.
How long does the effect last?
On average, four to six months. With regular applications, the muscle tends to become smaller, and the effect may last longer.
Team
Medical team
See also