What is masseter?
The masseter is the medical name for the jaw muscle. What you may not know is that the masseter is one of the strongest muscles in our body.
The primary responsibility of the masseter is to allow us to chew food effortlessly.
why would i be interested in masseter Botox®?
Masseter Botox® is a treatment that can be used for both aesthetic and medical reasons including:
- Jawline reshaping
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) pain/dysfunction.
- Headaches
what is bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for excessive teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. It is an extremely common condition and has been estimated to affect up to 1 in 3 people.
If the condition is mild you may not be troubled by it, but if severe it can lead to symptoms including:
- Jaw pain
- Toothache
- Headaches
- Wear and tear of the teeth that could eventually lead to fillings.
As a GP working in the NHS Dr Raman has seen numerous patients present with a variety of these symptoms who suffer with bruxism. Traditional management involve treating the symptoms by repairing damaged teeth or providing a dental splint. Occasionally medication such as pain killers, muscle relaxants or even antidepressants have been used. The outcome of these treatments can help but they don’t address the cause.
What is tmj?
TMJ stands for the Temporomandibular joint. You may have heard the term TMJ disorder or TMD. According to the American Association of Orofacial Pain (AAOP) definition, a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is:
“a collective term embracing a number of clinical problems that involve the masticatory musculature, the Temporomandibular joint and associated structures, or both.”
TMJ disorder is a condition that involves pain and improper functioning of the muscles and joints attaching the lower jaw to the skull.
Bruxism can be caused by TMJ dysfunction or can worsen TMJ dysfunction.
As we know Botox® is best known for its use aesthetically to treat fine lines and wrinkles.
How does Botox® work?
Botox® blocks nerve signals to muscles. As a result, injected muscles can’t contract (tense up). Therefore by preventing muscle contraction you can soften fine lines on the face.
As we mentioned Bruxism is a condition caused by excessive clenching/tensing of the jaw muscle (masseter).
Therefore with this in mind the injection of a specific dose of Botox® into the masseter muscle will reduce the tension and reduce the ability to clench and grind the teeth.
Dr Raman has been performing Masseter Botox® treatment for over 10 years. Through his experience he is able to assess the appropriate dose for each individual patient and with a detailed understanding of head and neck anatomy he will inject carefully in order to soften the muscle but still retain normal function such as chewing, talking and smiling.
Masseter Botox® is a fantastic treatment. Feedback from Dr Raman’s clients has in some cases been life changing. The relaxing of the jaw muscle makes it gradually weaker and smaller. Over time clients report that the effects often last longer as the muscle is no longer as big as it once was.
who should consider BOTOX® for bruxism?
Anyone with symptoms of jaw pain, teeth grinding and or headaches either while they are awake or asleep.
We would recommend booking on for a consultation with Dr Raman at BTX London at his Clapham Clinic who will take a detailed medical history before advising on the appropriate treatment.
how long will it last?
The treatment will last from 3-6 months after which time the procedure can be repeated to maintain the benefit.
WHat are the aesthetic benefits of masseter BOTOX®?
As we have mentioned the jaw muscle (masseter) is one of the strongest muscles in the body. If you have a square or wide jawline historically the only way to soften this would be to go under the knife. The use of Botox® is a far simpler, safer and pleasant way to soften your facial profile.
By injecting Botox® into the masseter we reduce the contraction of the muscle, which over time causes the muscle to reduce in size. The result is a slimmer jawline.
In summary, Masseter Botox® is a fantastic treatment. In the hands of an experienced practitioner such as Dr Raman you can significantly reduce the symptoms caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), with the added benefit of a slimmer softer facial profile.
Feel free to book in for a free consultation with Dr Raman at BTX London at his Clapham Clinic.