Botox — Bruxism

Botulinum toxin injected into the masseter muscles to relieve jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism). Reduces jaw tension, headaches, and facial squareness over 4-6 weeks.

Masseter Botox for bruxism targets the thick masseter muscles on either side of the jaw — the primary muscles responsible for chewing force and, when hyperactive, for nocturnal teeth grinding and daytime jaw clenching. By partially relaxing these muscles with botulinum toxin, the treatment addresses bruxism at its muscular source rather than relying on splints or behavioural modification alone. At SCM Estetic, the practitioner palpates the masseter while the patient clenches to identify the muscle bulk and optimal injection points. Multiple injections are placed into each masseter, typically using 25-50 units per side depending on muscle size and severity of symptoms. The entire procedure takes approximately 20 minutes including assessment. The therapeutic benefits of masseter Botox extend beyond bruxism relief. Patients commonly report significant reduction in tension headaches (particularly morning headaches caused by nocturnal grinding), decreased jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort, and reduced tooth sensitivity caused by enamel wear. An aesthetic side effect is a slimming of the lower face as the masseter muscle atrophies over 4-8 weeks — many patients appreciate this jawline refinement as a secondary benefit. Full effect develops gradually over 2-6 weeks as the muscle fibres weaken. Results typically last 4-6 months, though patients with severe bruxism may benefit from re-treatment at 3-4 month intervals initially. Over successive treatments, many patients find the interval between sessions can be extended as the muscle progressively reduces in size and habitual clenching patterns diminish.