Term of the month: Masseter BTX & bruxism

What is bruxism and what can Masseter BTX do?

Do you regularly clench your teeth? Do you wake up with a tense jaw or sometimes experience headaches around your temples? You may be experiencing bruxism.

Bruxism is the involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth. It often occurs at night, but some people also unconsciously clench their jaw during the day. As a result, the chewing muscles, particularly the masseter, can become overactive and tense.

What is the masseter?

The masseter is one of the main muscles responsible for chewing. It is located along the side of the jaw. When you clench your teeth firmly, you can feel this muscle tighten.

In people who regularly grind their teeth or strongly clench their jaw, the masseter can become more developed and prominent over time. This can also make the lower part of the face appear wider or more angular.

Masseter BTX: how does it work?

During a treatment with Botox®, a small amount of botulinum toxin is injected into the masseter. This temporarily reduces the force with which the muscle can contract.

The treatment can have two main goals:

• Reducing excessive tension in the masseter muscle, for example in cases of bruxism.
• Softening a strongly developed masseter, which can make the jawline appear less wide.

The treatment is usually quick and requires only a few small injections. The effect develops gradually and is temporary. Over time, the muscle gradually returns to its normal activity.

Is Masseter BTX the same as Botox® for wrinkles?

No. Although the same active substance is used, the purpose of the treatment is different.

With cosmetic Botox®, muscle activity is reduced to soften certain dynamic wrinkles. With Masseter BTX, the treatment specifically targets the chewing muscle to reduce excessive muscle activity and tension or to decrease its size.

When might Masseter BTX be considered?

Masseter BTX may be considered for people who have very tense or overactive chewing muscles, for example in combination with bruxism. It can also be an option when the masseter is particularly developed and contributes to a wider-looking jaw contour.

In short:

Bruxism can cause the masseter to work excessively. Masseter BTX can temporarily reduce overactivity in this muscle and may therefore be relevant both for certain functional symptoms and for the appearance of the lower face.

Do you regularly experience jaw tension, teeth grinding or a strongly developed masseter muscle? Discuss your symptoms during a consultation to determine which approach is most suitable for you.