Masseter Botox for Jaw Clenching & Teeth Grinding

Break the habit & recover.

Bruxism (teeth grinding and jaw clenching) is often related to stress or anxiety. It often happens during sleep and most people are not aware they're doing it until it causes jaw ache or their teeth become noticeably worn or the masseters become overdeveloped making the face look square.
 
TMJ disorder (temporomandibular joint disorder) causes the jaw joint to become inflamed and it can contribute to headaches, sensations of dizziness, problems with hearing and pain while chewing. TMJ can arise from persistent bruxism.
 
Most patients need help to reduce the damage bruxism can cause during stressful periods or break what has become a habit whilst they sleep.

Four quick facts you should know:

  1. A treatment can reduce the impact of bruxism for up to 4 months. 
  2. It's best used to break the habit. It may take you 6-12 months for you to achieve this goal.
  3. It's a tiny needle. People say that the injections feel like tiny pinpricks.
  4. It's performed by dental surgeons experts in the anatomy of the mouth.

If your teeth are dentally fit, but suffer with jaw pain and suspect nocturnal bruxism then this might be a solution. This treatment is not suitable for all jaw pain sufferers and so a consultation is essential. We receive many referrals from dental practices and are happy to accept a referral from your dentist or you can see our own dental surgeons.

If you are going through a very stressful period, it might be better to wait until the cause of the stress has passed or reduced in impact. Remember the treatment plan is to help you break a habit - it is not a permanent solution.

  1. Consultation: If you are new to this service you will have a consultation with a dental surgeon to discuss your goals and determine whether you're a suitable candidate for a Botox masseter treatment.
  2. Preparation: At your treatment - the area to be treated is cleansed and marked up for the injections.
  3. Injection: Your dental surgeon will use a very fine needle to inject small amounts of Botox into your masseter muscles. 
  4. Procedure Duration: The procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes.
  5. Recovery: There's usually no downtime after a Botox treatment and you can resume your normal activities immediately.
  6. Results: You will start to notice your results 3-7 days after the treatment. The full effects might take 14 days to develop. The masseter muscle is relaxed enough to stop involuntary grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw. The results are temporary and usually last for about 3-4 months. Over time, the masseter muscles may reduce in size so your jaw will look less square. You may need to repeat the treatment 1-2 times to allow enough time to reduce your stress and break your habit.

Botox is a prescription only medicine and under UK law all patients new to a treatment provider MUST have a face to face consultation to check their medical history and determine if the treatment is appropriate for them. This typically takes 30 mins and costs £35. 

Botox treatment for both masseter muscles either side of the face is £300. 

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Is an injectable treatment painful?

An injectable treatment is administered using a very fine needle that takes just a few seconds. It’s a quick tiny prick that most patients tolerate very well. If your treatment plan requires several injections at a localised area then a topical anaesthetic cream may be applied to numb the skin.

Who can have Botox injections?

Botox injections are suitable for most men and women, but the best way to find out is to arrange a consultation. If you have any of the following contra-indications then please ask about alternate treatments:

  • Pregnancy / breast feeding;
  • Myasthenia gravis;
  • Eaton lambert syndrome;
  • Bell’s or facial palsy;
  • and Liver disease.

What side effects can occur with Botox injections?

Botox injections have been used globally in millions of treatments and are safe and effective when administered by a healthcare professional who has the correct understanding of anatomy. However, like all medical treatments there can be side effects. Common side effects, which resolve quickly, include:

  • tenderness;
  • bruising;
  • and redness at injection points.

Related Blog Posts

Author: Asel Nawroz
First published: 17/11/2020
Last updated: 13/08/2021

Dr Asel explains that teeth grinding & jaw clenching (bruxism) isn’t just painful it can damage our teeth. So what can you do?

Dr Asel Nawroz

Asel has a Master of Science with distinction in Aesthetic Medicine from Queen Mary University London and is a member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery for The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Through patient education and with her attention to detail Asel will work with you to achieve realistic treatment goals to restore aesthetic balance and harmony with minimal discomfort.

Asel performs facial rejuvenation with Botox, dermal filler and PRP injections, Ultherapy®, TIXEL, and EndyMed. As a dental surgeon she specialises in smile rejuvenation with lip fillers, teeth whitening and bruxism treatments.

Dr Asel Nawroz BDS, MFDS, MSc
Dental Surgeon & Facial Aesthetics
GDC 85386

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Practitioners

Dr Victoria Dobbie

Dr Victoria Dobbie

Victoria has over 18 years’ experience in aesthetic medicine and has performed over 36,000 treatments. Victoria speaks at conferences and has been involved in pharmaceutical steering groups for dermal filler product development. She has been a trainer for Ellanse, Silhouette Soft® and MINT® Threads and an Ambassador for Ultherapy and Obagi.

Victoria specialises in providing full facial rejuvenation through advanced combination treatments involving Ultherapy®, TIXEL®, Thread Face Lifts, TCA peels and aesthetic injections.

Victoria provides advanced injection treatments for chronic migraines, bruxism, TMJ and hyperhidrosis.

Victoria is also passionate in helping women through menopause with Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Dr Victoria Dobbie BDS
Dental Surgeon & Facial Aesthetics
GDC 69584

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GDC 69584
Clinical Director
Dr Asel Nawroz

Dr Asel Nawroz

Asel has a Master of Science with distinction in Aesthetic Medicine from Queen Mary University London and is a member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery for The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Through patient education and with her attention to detail Asel will work with you to achieve realistic treatment goals to restore aesthetic balance and harmony with minimal discomfort.

Asel performs facial rejuvenation with Botox, dermal filler and PRP injections, Ultherapy®, TIXEL, and EndyMed. As a dental surgeon she specialises in smile rejuvenation with lip fillers, teeth whitening and bruxism treatments.

Dr Asel Nawroz BDS, MFDS, MSc
Dental Surgeon & Facial Aesthetics
GDC 85386

Book appointment

GDC 85386
Dental Surgeon & Facial Aesthetics
Dr Joanna Niciejewska

Dr Joanna Niciejewska

Dr Joanna has a Master of Science in Aesthetic Medicine from the Queen Mary University of London and over 7 years’ experience in aesthetic medicine.

She is highly trained in providing Botox and Dermal Filler treatments to achieve full facial rejuvenation with results that look natural.

In addition, Dr Jo specialities include toxin injections for: TMJ, Masseter, Gummy Smile, Teeth Grinding, Nefertiti Face Lift, Nasal Flaring, Pebble Stone Chin, and Downward Smile.

You will find her warm personality makes conversations easy.

Dr Joanna Niciejewska BDS, MSc
Dental Surgeon & Facial Aesthetics
GDC 100727

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GDC 100727
Dental Surgeon & Facial Aesthetics

Testimonials

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