Let's Talk Masseter 'Tox!

 

Maybe you've heard about masseter Botox and maybe you're like, 'what is this language they are speaking'? Regardless of which camp you are in, we're going to give you all of the info you need on this amazing treatment.

 

To say a neuromodulator treatment is life changing may sound like an exaggeration… but if you've experienced pain in your jaw from clenching, you may feel otherwise after having this treatment! It's so common that adults carry stress in their jaw. The large, strong muscle that is the main player in the ‘clenching’ process is called the masseter muscle - this guy is the one you feel if you place your hand gentle on your jawline just under your ear and close your back teeth as tightly as possible. 

 

In times of stress, or even just because habits have formed, this muscle starts working overtime. Many people even clench while they sleep! The bad news is that, like any muscle of the body, the more exercise and use it gets, the stronger this muscle becomes. Neuromodulators (Botox and Dysport) can be used to break this cycle and allow the muscle to relax and even atrophy a bit.

 

We inject the neuromodulator directly into that strong masseter muscle during your appointment - it only takes 2-3 pokes per side. When you leave the office, it feels just the same as when you walked in. But, 2-4 weeks later, most patients start to feel significant relief of pain, as the masseter muscle stops getting the message to contract when you don't want it to. 

 

This treatment isn't necessarily for everyone, but it's just an incredible intervention that we can use when someone is experiencing pain in their jaw muscles from overuse. If you have jaw pain from clenching, ask us about this at your next appointment or schedule a consult to discuss.