Understanding Masseter Botox

Seemingly acting on their own accord, your jaw muscles start to clench and grind. You might not immediately notice it, but all those hours of clenching are wearing down the bone, causing deep facial lines on your face. It can also cause headaches, sleep disorders, teeth misalignment, temporomandibular/jaw joint dysfunction syndrome, and tooth damage or deterioration.

Treatment can come in the form of lifestyle changes, non-surgical procedures, or plastic surgery. Learn more about Botox in Boston for the masseter muscle and how our medical spa can help with the pain in your jaw and head.

What Is Masseter Botox, And How Does It Work?

The masseter is a large muscle that covers the sides and front of your jawbone. It helps you chew food. It also plays a crucial role in facial expressions and speech.

Botox Boston injections into the masseter muscle are a treatment option for patients with mild to moderate jaw clenching, grinding, and teeth clenching. It involves injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin into the masseter, which is responsible for closing your jaw and chewing.

Botox Boston works by blocking the release of a chemical called acetylcholine from muscle nerve endings. The acetylcholine binds to receptors on muscle cells and opens channels that allow sodium ions to flow into the cells, causing them to contract. Botox prevents this action by preventing acetylcholine release at the nerve end.

Injecting your masseter with botulinum toxin reduces their ability to contract, which relaxes them and improves your jawline. This can make it easier to bite and chew without pain or discomfort. For many people, allowing this muscle to slide into a permanent state of relaxation is a worthwhile trade-off for having younger and more relaxed features.

What Is The Masseter Muscle?

The masseter muscle is a thick, triangular-shaped muscle that extends from the zygomatic arch to the mandible. It controls the movement of your jaw and helps you chew.

It is one of four muscles in your face that controls chewing. These muscles are called extrinsic muscles because they're not part of your bones. Extrinsic muscles are connected to bone by tendons, so they don't move the bone itself but rather help move it around or bend it.

The masseter muscle is responsible for closing your jaw, which happens when you chew food or bite down on something. When you open your mouth wide enough to stretch this muscle out a little bit, you'll feel it at the sides of your cheeks on both sides of your face.

What Is Botox Boston?

Botox Boston is used to treat muscle spasms, headaches, frown lines, migraines, certain facial lines, crow's feet, and neck pain. Botox treatment works by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. This prevents muscle contraction and reduces pain.

There are two types of Botox treatments: Botox cosmetic injections and therapeutic Botox.

• Cosmetic Botox injections can be used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face by paralyzing the muscles that cause them.
• Therapeutic Botox can be used to treat various conditions such as excessive sweating, migraine, and temporomandibular disorder.

What Are The Benefits Of This Procedure?

Botox helps make your skin look smoother and tighter, therefore improving your facial expression. There are many other benefits of masseter botox, including the following:

• Reduced pain and swelling around the jaw area by relaxing this muscle so that it doesn’t contract as much when you chew or grind your teeth at night (bruxism)
• Reduced risk of TMJ problems such as clicking noises when you open or close your mouth
• A reduction in the appearance of vertical lip lines and wrinkles around the mouth
• A reduction in the appearance of deep nasolabial folds
• A decrease in muscle hypertrophy (enlargement) from aging or trauma
• Reduction of chewing lines that form when you open your mouth wide for extended periods

How Long Do The Effects Last?

So you're interested in Botox injection for your masseter, and you're wondering how long it will last. We can't tell you exactly, but we can give you an estimate.

If your Botox treatment is done correctly, the effects can last up to six months. Regular botox injections have longer-lasting results.

What Are The Side Effects Of Masseter Botox?

There are some mild side effects associated with Botox cosmetic treatments, but they're mostly temporary. Some of the most common side effects include:

• Temporary drooping of your mouth due to a weak jaw on the side of your face that was injected; this should go away within two weeks after the procedure and will not affect your ability to speak or chew
• Temporary redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or chewing after the injections due to the jaw muscles becoming temporarily weakened by the injections
• Drooling (sialorrhea)
• Drooping eyelids (ptosis)

How Much Does Masseter Botox Cost?

The cost of Botox can vary depending on the practitioner conducting the procedure and the location of the practice. In many cases, though, the average cost for a single treatment for both sides of the face is about $400 to $600.

Add Some Zing To Your Smile!

We're committed to offering the best service and results for customers seeking Botox in Boston. Skin Deep Med Spa has been a leader in masseter Botox for years, and we place the highest importance on excellent patient care and results.

From careful preparation to administering injections, our staff is committed to your satisfaction — and we are always happy to answer your questions. Contact us for more information regarding preventative botox or other dermal fillers.Call (617) 826-8232 to schedule an appointment today!