Masseter (Teeth Grinding) Botulinum Toxin Application
The masseter muscle, located in the jaw, is responsible for teeth grinding and chewing. In some individuals, this muscle can be stronger due to involuntary teeth grinding, stress, or genetic predisposition.
Excessive strength in this muscle can cause symptoms such as jaw tension upon waking, headaches, and tooth damage. Cosmetically, this may result in a squared or broadened jaw appearance. When the excessive strength of the masseter muscle becomes bothersome, botulinum toxin treatment is recommended for health purposes.
The botulinum toxin application to the masseter muscle blocks excessive muscle force. The muscle’s strength is not completely eliminated, and the patient can still chew and speak normally. Since the masseter is a large muscle, it may take 2 to 4 weeks to see the full effect of the application. For individuals with very strong masseter muscles, applying botulinum toxin every 3 months can result in a permanent 50% improvement.
After three applications, the treatment intervals can be extended to every 6 months, depending on the condition.
