What It Treats
Chronic jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism) can place significant strain on the temporomandibular joint and surrounding muscles. Over time this can lead to:
Jaw pain and stiffness
Headaches or temple pain
Ear discomfort or facial soreness
Tooth wear or cracked dental restorations
Muscle hypertrophy from chronic clenching
Botulinum toxin works by temporarily relaxing the masseter muscles, which are often overactive in patients with TMJ dysfunction and bruxism.
How Treatment Works
Small, targeted injections are placed into the masseter muscles, the primary muscles responsible for clenching the jaw.
Botulinum toxin reduces excessive muscle contraction while preserving normal function such as speaking, chewing, and facial expression. As the muscle activity decreases, many patients notice:
Reduced jaw tension
Fewer grinding episodes
Relief from pressure headaches
Less morning jaw soreness
Because the treatment addresses the muscle activity itself, it can provide meaningful relief for patients whose symptoms are driven by muscular overactivity.
Physician-Guided Anatomy
Precise placement is essential for both effectiveness and safety. The masseter muscles sit close to important facial structures, and dosing must be tailored to each patient’s anatomy and strength of muscle contraction.
At NeuroBeauty Clinic, injections are performed by a physician with training in neurology and detailed knowledge of facial neuromuscular anatomy, allowing treatment to be individualized based on muscle activity, jaw structure, and symptom pattern.
Treatment Experience
The procedure typically takes about 10–15 minutes.
Most patients describe the injections as a brief pinch. No downtime is required, and normal daily activities can usually be resumed immediately.
When Results Appear
Improvement typically begins within 5–10 days, with the full effect developing over approximately 2 weeks.
Relief from clenching and muscle tension may last 3–4 months, after which the treatment can be repeated if needed.
Cosmetic Effects
Although the primary goal of treatment is pain relief and functional improvement, relaxing the masseter muscles may also lead to a gradual softening of the jawline in patients with enlarged masseter muscles.
This effect is secondary and not the primary goal of therapeutic treatment.