What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a relatively common condition that involves involuntary teeth grinding and jaw clenching. The effects of bruxism typically occur when the patient is asleep, and side effects include badly worn teeth, headaches (particularly of the temple), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, an enlarged masseter muscle which can cause the jawline to widen, hypersensitivity of the teeth, tooth fractures and more. The development of a square jawline resulting from bruxism, may be an unwanted side effect, particularly among females.
The size of the masseter muscle is able to be reduced in patients, using the same treatments that are used to correct dynamic and static lines. This reduces the squareness of the jawline, while also alleviating the effects of bruxism.
Masseter injections to alleviate teeth grinding and other dental issues
Injections can be made into the masseter muscle to offer a range of medical and cosmetic benefits. Masseter injections help to relax the muscles responsible for moving the jaw, helping to ease the many unwanted side effects that result from teeth grinding and jaw clenching. By alleviating the severity of teeth grinding, patients are able to work with their dentists to help avoid further damage to their teeth.
Treatment of the masseter muscle can also help to reduce the size of the jaw muscle. This has the effect of creating a more slender facial appearance, resulting in a v-shaped facial contour. The injections also lessen the squareness of the jawline.
How do masseter injections work?
Masseter injections are composed of a neurotoxin which causes temporary muscle paralysis in the injected area. The contents of the injections help to prevent nerve signals to the jaw muscle for a brief moment of time. This results in the masseter muscle being partly deactivated, by obstructing the transfer of signals between the brain and the treated the muscles, which instruct them to shrink.
What are the primary uses for masseter injections?
Masseter injections are most commonly used for the following reasons:
- Reducing the severity and incidences of teeth grinding
- Alleviating jaw pain, pressure, and clenching
- Soothing headaches that result from bruxism
- Reducing the squareness of a jawline
- Establishing a more even face shape
Post-treatment guidelines
Following treatment, patients can typically resume their regular activities with little downtime. However, patients are advised to refrain from physical exercise, and avoid putting any stress on their jaw for the remainder of the day. On average, the effects of masseter injections can be seen around 7-10 days following treatment, and continue to progress over the proceeding weeks.
Additionally, it is recommended that patients are mindful of the following, post-treatment:
- Avoid undergoing any form of facial massage, facial therapy, or putting your face into a face cushion/rest/cradle for the purposes of having a massage, for 24 hours post-treatment.
- Avoid having any laser treatment that targets the face or any electrical therapies of any kind, for 2 weeks post-treatment.
- Patients can recommence their regular skin care routines, such as the wearing of makeup.
What are the side effects of masseter injections?
The most common side effects of masseter injections include:
- Minor redness of the treated area
- Soreness
- Bruising
In some cases, patients may also experience mild muscular pain. Each of these side effects are only momentary, and are able to be alleviated through the use of a cold compress or pain relief medication.
As the effects of masseter injections are not everlasting, patients may be required to have follow-up treatments to maintain their results.
In some incidences, masseter injections may cause a patient’s smile to become imbalanced, but this is very rare.