Masseter Reduction and Facial Reshaping
The masseter muscle is a major facial muscle located in the jaw that is associated with chewing and teeth grinding, TMJ or Bruxism. An enlarged masseter muscle can result in a wide or square jaw, which can be considered to be quite masculine. While a strong, square jawline can be distinctly masculine and desirable in male patients, many female patients are seeking softer more feminized shape to their face. Particularly in Asian females, changing the shape of the face from square to a more attractive oval shape can add a more gentle graceful appearance.
Non-surgical treatments are usually the preferred choice amongst patients. This method of face reshaping, requires no need for surgical intervention yet it allows patients to re-contour a strong jawline or wider lower face with the aim of achieving a more feminine, graceful appearance without the associated expense and risks of surgery.
Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?
Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. It can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.
Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.
Will This Treatment Help with Bruxism?
Yes! Botox is an effective treatment for bruxism that works by freezing the muscles responsible for the tension along the jaw. This freezing of the masseter muscle along the jaw prevents the tension in the facial muscles that is responsible for the pain and damage caused by bruxism. Botox will help alleviate many of the symptoms that are associated with bruxism like damage to the enamel of your teeth, TMJ, lockjaw, migraines, and more.
What is Botox Made From?
Botox is made from a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox specifically uses botulinum toxin type A. This toxin causes paralysis as a result of blocking neural transmission. Botox is a purified manufactured form of this botulinum type A toxin and is injected in small quantities into precise locations, to freeze the muscle. When injected into the masseter muscle, the masseter muscle will release tension and become relaxed. The muscle will eventually shrink over time with disuse.
Who Can Benefit From This Treatment?
Anyone who is looking to have a softer faw contour can will love the results from this treatment! Patients who experience pain and discomfort as a result of an overly large masseter muscle can also benefit from this treatment. By using botulinum toxin to help shrink the masseter muscle and both reduce its appearance and lessen the amount of discomfort the muscle exerts on the surrounding tissues.
Does Jaw Botox Slim The Face? Can It Soften A Square Jawline?
Yes! Excessive clenching of the jaw can overexert the muscles in your jaw, which is also known as hypertrophy of the masseter muscles. The masseter muscle in your jaw is similar to all muscles in your body in that the more it is engaged, the larger it will get. When this occurs as a result of bruxism, your jaw can take on an excessively square shape, which many patients find upsetting if that is not the natural contour of their face.
Botox treatment that is used to stop the masseter muscle from clenching will not only reduce the pain and potential enamel damage done by bruxism but can correct the square jaw side effect as well. When the botulinum toxin is injected for the Botox treatment, it serves to shrink the jawline, which will create a V-shaped, slimmer-looking face.
What Is The Procedure for Botox?
You will first begin with a consultation with Dr. Vicki. Together, you will discuss the type of pain you are experiencing and the individualized treatment plan that is right for you. In the days before your Botox treatment appointment, it is recommended that you stop taking blood thinners to reduce the risk of side effects from the procedure such as bruising and swelling.
Before your appointment, Dr. Vicki may suggest applying a numbing agent to the injection site to help to reduce potential discomfort. Most patients says this is a fairly comfortable treatment due to Dr. Vicki's gentle and well-practiced hand.
After preparing the injection site, Dr. Vicki will use a fine needle to inject the Botox through the cheek into the masseter or temporalis muscle. Injections will typically be made on each side of the face following a personalised plan to bring out smooth and natural results for facial harmony.
When the botulinum toxin is injected, it blocks the signals that tell the muscles to contract. This then prevents jaw clenching from occurring, reducing tension, pain, soreness, and other symptoms such as damage to teeth and gums. Following the injection treatment, you can return right away to your regularly scheduled activities.
Is There Any Downtime?
Botox is a non-invasive bruxism treatment, which means that there is no recovery or downtime necessary following the procedure. You can go back to your regular activities immediately following the treatment. Further, while Botox treatment is extremely effective in relaxing the facial muscles, it does not limit any regular facial movement like chewing or making facial expressions. Dr. Vicki recommends that you do not massage the injection site for at least 24 hours after receiving the injection to prevent the toxin from spreading to unwanted areas of your body.
Are There Any Side Effects?
It is uncommon for any side effects to occur but some potential side effects include swelling or bruising where the injection occurred, headache, a crooked smile or drooling, and dry eyes. If you experience a crooked smile, it should even itself out after a couple of days or can be adjusted with a small amount of filler.
The risk of experiencing potential side effects is greatly reduced when you seek treatment from an expert board-certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Vicki, who has been safely and effectively treating patients with Botox for years. Precise placement of the injections is imperative in avoiding these side effects. She is also the only female Allergan Trainer of her Generation in Singapore.
How Many Units of Botox Do I Need To Address Jaw Clenching?
The number of units an individual will need for jaw clenching varies based on each individual. Some individuals have much stronger masseter muscles which will require more units of Botox.
Your consult with Dr. Vicki, will determine how many units of Botox you will require for your case. On average, patients receive 15 to 25 units of Botox on each side of the face. Depending on the strength and hypertrophy of the muscle, more Botox may be needed.
When Does Jaw Botox Start Working?
The great thing about jaw Botox is that it starts working right after your treatment. It may take one to three days to up to a week to begin to see a real difference in your jawline and relief from symptoms of TMJ disorders or bruxism.
If you get jaw Botox, you will have a follow up two weeks after the procedure to see the progress of the Botox and to see if any additional Botox is required for optimal results. Over the next few months, you should see continual improvements in the form of a slimmer jawline and alleviation from adverse symptoms.
How Long Do Results Last?
A masseter jaw treatment with Botox usually only takes a few minutes and the results can last up to six months. Most patients require two treatment sessions, with a gap of approximately eight weeks in between.
Which Botox Lasts The Longest?
Currently, all forms of neurotoxins, including Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®, last up to four months in duration. The Revance company currently has a form of Botox known as Daxibotolinumtoxin A in the pipeline for FDA-approval. Daxibotulinumtoxin A is expected to last 20 to 24 weeks compared to the typical 12 to 14 week lifespan of Botox currently on the market.
Is Jaw Botox FDA approved?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is the first and only product of its kind that's FDA-approved treatment for the temporary improvement in the appearance of moderate to severe forehead lines, frown lines, and crow's feet in adult patients.
BOTOX® is currently not FDA-approved for the treatment of TMJ disorders. It is currently considered “off-label” use for Botox but has been used for several years to treat TMJ disorders with much success. Countless individuals have turned to Botox when other alternatives failed to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ disorders and have been extremely happy with their results.
Many patients experience almost immediate relief from the pain associated with bruxism and teeth grinding. Here at VIDASKIN, Botox injections to treat TMJ disorders and facial slimming is the one of the most popular procedures that she performs.
Why Choose Masseter Reduction With VIDASKIN?
We Value Authenticity
The Botulinum toxins used at VIDASKIN are FDA-approved and bear the CE mark that indicates it conforms to international standards for health and safety.
Skillful Practitioners
We are a skillful, experienced & friendly accredited Medical Aesthetic Clinic. VIDASKIN recently received another AMI (Allergan Medical Institute) award for being one of the top users in Singapore.
Dedicated For More
Dr. Vicki has been inducted as a faculty member and trainer for AMI. She is currently the ONLY female trainer of her generation.
Transparency
Affordable & transparent fixed rates. No hidden fees.
Convenient & Comfort
Comfortable, private all female clinic in the heart of Orchard, Singapore.