Jaw Slimming & Teeth Grinding

What does it do?

When the masseter muscle becomes overactive due to teeth grinding, it can lead to increased muscle strength and bulkiness in the lower face. Unfortunately, this can contribute to discomfort in the jaw, along with headaches and neck pain.

At NU Clinic, we offer Wrinkle Relaxing Injections using Botox for the masseter muscle, which can be highly beneficial in alleviating pain caused by teeth grinding, also known as 'bruxism’. An additional benefit is the slimming of the lower face as the muscle loses its bulk over time. 

who is it for?

At NU Clinic, we usually offer this treatment for patients with strong masseter muscles. When biting together and clenching, the muscle can be felt bulging out to the side, it is likely that you have strong masseter muscles. 

In the cases of patients with less strong masseter muscles who undergo the treatment, the jawline slimming effect may not be as pronounced. The extent of the jawline slimming effect is variable and reliant on individual factors such as your unique anatomy, the size of the masseter muscle, and your bone structure. 

While this treatment can provide relief from pain caused by teeth grinding, we strongly recommend also consulting a dentist to protect your teeth with a mouthguard. Excessive grinding can cause significant damage to your teeth, and a mouthguard can be instrumental in preventing such issues.

At NÜ Clinic, we tend to not provide this treatment in patients over the age of 50 as it can make the appearance of jowls and loose skin on the lower-face worse.

TREATMENT + recovery

Appointment duration is 30 minutes, with the actual treatment time lasting approximately 5 minutes with very minimal downtime. Results vary, most patients observe a return of full muscle movement between 3-4 months. This treatment can take longer to reach full effect compared to other muscle-relaxing injections. We typically advise patients to allow for a waiting period of about 4 weeks to experience the treatment's complete benefits.

frequently asked questions

  • As with any medical treatment, there are potential side effects and risks to consider. Mild bruising, and cold-like symptoms are common after the treatment. In some cases, slight asymmetry may occur, especially if there was some asymmetry present before the treatment. However, this is usually easily corrected during your follow-up appointment.

    During the initial period after the procedure, you may notice a temporary limitation in your ability to smile fully. This effect is due to the impact on the muscles responsible for smiling and typically resolves within a few weeks, being barely noticeable.

    At NÜ Clinic, we always prioritise the safety of our patients. For this reason, we recommend not receiving this treatment more frequently than every 6-9 months. From our experience, excessive weakening of the masseter muscle can potentially affect the tightness of the jawline. To maintain the best possible results and ensure the natural aesthetics of the face, it's essential not to over-treat the area.

  • Most patients do not find muscle relaxing injections painful, but some mild discomfort is to be expected.

  • It is essential to note that allergies to Botulinum toxin are extremely rare. For the safety of our clients, we cannot administer this treatment to individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you have any concerns or questions about the suitability of this treatment for you, we welcome you to schedule a consultation to explore your options further.

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