Table of Contents
Masseter Botox Overview
Masseter Botox is used in the masseter muscle to change the shape of the face, make the wrinkles less noticeable and manage the pain.
Botox is the trade name of onabotulinumtoxinA. Which is an injectable muscle relaxer. It’s pharmacologically a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes the muscles.
It can be used in multiple muscles for local benefits. The forehead is used for making the wrinkles less noticeable. In the cheek area, it’s used for changing the shape of the face and dimple.
Along with the benefits it has also some side effects. Let us dive deep into this.
What is Masseter Botox or Masseter Muscle Botox?
The masseter muscle is one of the muscles of mastication. That means it helps you to chew your food. This muscle connects your cheekbone to your lower jawbone.
When the Botox is injected into the masseter muscle, it’s called Masseter Botox or Masseter Muscle Botoxor sometimes jaw Botox.
As Botox is a neurotoxin (more specifically botulinum toxin), it blocks the nerve signals of the masseter temporarily. Which means you cannot move muscle for some time.
Read Buccal Fat Removal | Breast Lift | Body Sculpting
Uses of Masseter Botox
Masseter Botox is used for treating several conditions and beauty purposes. Some of them are;
- Treating the teeth grinding
- Managing the jaw pain, tension, and clenching
- Relieving headache
- Reshape the square jaw
- Changing the face shape
Consultation With The Cosmetic Surgeon for Masseter Botox
Finding an expert dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon is necessary to get minimum side effects and the best results. Ask your dermatologist for a cosmetic surgeon.
Make sure some points you have discussed with your surgeon before you undergo the masseter Botox procedure.
- Can you achieve the result that you are expecting?
- Are you a good candidate for the procedure?
- Preparation for this procedure
- Where will the procedure gonna be done?
- How much time would this take?
- The cost for the procedure
- The benefits and risks of the procedure
- Has he done this procedure before?
- Are there any before and after images?
- Is the surgeon trained and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
The Procedure of Masseter Botox
Before The Procedure
Before getting the masseter Botox you need to consult with a doctor. The doctor will discuss your problems and expectations. You should take all of your medical certificates with you.
The doctor will examine your chin area and injection site. This will help him to determine the number of injections needed and the expected result can be achieved or not.
The doctor may ask you about your family history of some diseases and conditions. You should know these answers.
The procedure is done in a doctor’s chamber, you won’t have to go to the hospital for a masseter botox procedure.
During The Procedure
The masseter botox procedure is quite simple and takes about 15 minutes. This procedure will be done in a doctor’s office.
The doctor will clean your skin with alcohol to reduce the risk of infection. Local anesthesia may be applied to the area.
The doctor will insert a thin needle to your masseter muscle through the skin to inject botulinum toxin. After the injection is completed the needle will be withdrawn.
The doctor will inject botulinum toxin on the masseter muscle of the other side of your face too.
This step may be repeated according to your expectation and the reason behind this procedure.
After The Procedure
You can go home after the procedure is done. The doctor may prescribe you some medication according to your condition.
The Result and Recovery of Masseter Botox
The masseter Botox doesn’t require any recovery time. You can go back to your daily activities on the same day. You may need need to avoid some activities for 24 hours only. Such as;
- Don’t rub the treated area
- Don’t put pressure on the treated area
- Don’t exercise on the same day of the procedure
If you don’t maintain the above-mentioned points, the botulinum toxin may spread to the other parts of your face as well.
The result of masseter botox shown up within a week. Most of the people notice results within 1-3 days after the procedure.
How Long Messeter Botox Lasts?
The masseter Botox isn’t a permanent procedure. It lasts around 3-4 months. If you want to maintain the results, you have to repeat the procedure once every 3-4 months.
Benefits of Masseter Botox
Masseter Botox has several benefits. The most common benefits are;
Reduce Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding or bruxism is usually treated by the mouthguard. The mouthguard is a little uncomfortable and in severe bruxism, it doesn’t work that well.
If you are suffering from severe bruxism, the masseter botox can be an effective solution for you. The botulinum toxin relaxes the masseter muscle and prevents teeth from grinding.
The masseter Botox can relieve some associated symptoms as well. Such as;
- pain in the jaw, neck, and face
- tooth sensitivity or pain
- Headache
- Tooth damage
- Tight jaw
- Ear pain
Reduces Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joints Disorder
The temporomandibular joint is a hinge type of synovial joint. As the masseter muscle, this joint is also helps you to chew your foods. This joint connects the lower jawbone to the skull.
If there is any problem in this joint, that is called Temporomandibular joints disorder. This may result in bruxism, masseter pain, and some other symptoms.
The masseter Botox reduces those symptoms as well as reduces some associated symptoms also. Such as;
- TMJ damage
- Limited range of motion in the jaw
- Jaw, face, and ear pain
- Jaw locking
- Headache
- Jaw pain
Reshape Your Face
Masseter muscle makes some people’s faces look square. Using masseter Botox can be a solution for them. As the masseter Botox relaxes the masseter muscle, it helps to achieve a “V” shape jawline.
This is why masseter Botox is also called jaw reduction Botox.
The Side Effects of Masseter Botox
There aren’t many side effects for masseter Botox. The occurrence of the side effects is also rare. That’s why Botox is considered safe. Although, the potential side effects may include;
- Bruising
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Crooked smile
- Drooling
- Pain or swelling at the site of injection
Contraindication of Botox
You shouldn’t use Botox if you are having the following conditions;
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- If you have a milk allergy (specifically cow milk allergy)
- Neuromuscular disorder
- If you have keloidal scarring
- Body dysmorphic disorder
Before undergoing the procedure make sure you discussed your expectation with the doctor. If the doctor ensures you that your expectation can be achieved then undergo this procedure.
You shouldn’t complain later.
Masseter Botox Cost
It depends on the location and the number of botox injections you need. In New York City masseter Botox can cost around $600-$1000. This cost may doesn’t include the cost of anesthesia and other medications if needs any.
Talk to your surgeon about the final cost of the procedure.
Masseter Botox Summary
Masseter Botox is a painless and quick (10-15 minutes) procedure. In this procedure, botulinum toxin is injected into your masseter muscle which relaxes the masseter muscle. The benefits of masseter Botox include, reduces teeth grinding, reduces the square look of the face, minimize the pain or the jaw, and the symptoms of TMD.
The result of this procedure shown up within a week and lasts around 4 months. If you want to keep the results, you have to repeat this procedure at least once every 6 months.
How long does masseter Botox last?
The results of masseter Botox Lasts around 3-4 months. If you want to keep the results, you need to repeat the procedure once every six months.
How much botox is needed to shrink masseter reduction?
The amount of Botox depends on your expectation, level of hypertrophy, and some other conditions. Your cosmetic surgeon will decide this. Usually, 20 units of Botox is needed for a masseter Botox session.
How to inject botox masseter muscle?
Your cosmetic surgeon will use a thin needle for injecting botox into the masseter muscle.
Botox injections into the masseter muscle, how long for the jawline to narrow?
The results start showing within a week. Most of the persons notice results after 1-3 days of the procedure.
Last Updated on February 23, 2022 by Learn From Doctor Team
