According to the National Institute of Health, people who are stressed experience a staggering 97% higher chance of developing bruxism.  Bruxism is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. Many patients will also develop temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) or jaw soreness because of clenching. It can happen during the day and/or at night and most don't even realize they are doing it. If you're someone who notices jaw pain as soon as you wake up, you most likely are grinding your teeth while sleeping. Consistent and repetitive clenching will often result in the masseter muscle (the muscle along your jaw that helps you chew) being overworked and thus enlarges making the face look wider. 

The enlarged masseter muscle will often start to hurt, which can, in turn, also cause headaches. When this happens, many people seek help from their dentist, who often suggests wearing a night guard to protect the teeth.  A night guard can be helpful to protect the teeth but it does nothing to stop the grinding or the enlargement of the masseter muscle and the resulting problems from it.  Botox injections will treat the source of the problem.

Benefits

There are two main and extremely successful benefits of Botox injections into the masseter. When Botox is placed into the masseter muscle, it essentially stops the muscle from contracting and prevents grinding.  As this happens, it gives almost instant symptom relief.  The jaw will feel more relaxed and it causes the muscle to shrink in size (a process called atrophy).  Because Botox doesn't completely paralyze the jaw's muscles, you can still chew normally.  Almost all patients who come in for treatment seek both results. 

Some patients come in for treatment with enlarged masseter muscles that is not caused from bruxism but is rather just a genetic trait and normal to their physique.  Although a strong, square jaw is considered masculine and desirable for many men, many women prefer a more oval or heart-shaped face, which creates a softer, thinner, and more feminine facial appearance.

Results

Masseter Botox has a very high success rate with little to no negative side-effects.  Occasionally, a patient might bruise or have temporary swelling in the area.  It usually takes around 1-3 days for the treatment to start working.  At two weeks it reaches its full effect and continues to be effective for anywhere from 3-6 months. Most patients return for treatment every 3-6 months.  However, we have found that sometimes, after a few treatments, patients start to break the habit and need fewer and less frequent follow-up visits.