The masseter muscle is one of the muscles that help us chew. It is attached to the lower jaw and extends up to the bone at the top of the cheek.  Some people naturally have strong masseters (thick jaw muscles). Some of us suffer from teeth grinding, clenching, and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) symptoms which can be quite uncomfortable. Masseter Botox is a good solution to help these symptoms and slim the appearance of your jawline. Look no further. Chicago Aesthetics Club specializes in this advanced Botox treatment.

The masseter muscles are the primary muscles involved in chewing and moving your jaw. Over time, these muscles grow as they strengthen with use. Prolonged clenching and grinding our teeth can enlarge our masseters contributing to a wider face, aka a square or rectangular shape. Botox® works by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter responsible for muscle contractions. By temporarily relaxing the masseter muscles, the muscle fibers relax.  This relaxation leads to a shrinking of the masseter muscle, which then helps to slim your face and alleviate your symptoms. 

If you feel that your face is wider than you would like, grind your teeth, clench your jaw, and/or have TMJ symptoms, masseter botox may be right for you. First, book a consultation with our physician, Dr. Sri, for a complete assessment of your jawline, symptoms, and facial structure. After reviewing your goals, she will share her recommendations to help you best. She will also answer your questions: masseter botox cost, masseter botox risks, and masseter botox how many units. Risks, benefits, and consent forms are presented to you as well. For a seamless and excellent experience, Dr. Sri will guide you through both consultation and performing your procedure. Before your treatment, she will extensively explain what to expect, including masseter botox aftercare and frequency. 

After antiseptic prep and identifying important anatomical landmarks, Dr. Sri will perform 3-4 Botox injections into specific points of your masseter muscles on each side of your lower jaw. The injections are relatively quick and generally well-tolerated. The masseter botox technique is especially important as there are essential areas to target and other areas to avoid. 

Masseter Botox is an advanced Botox® medical procedure. As a physician, Dr. Sri is highly skilled and takes your health and safety seriously. Risks with this treatment are rare. The most common side effects include pain, swelling, bruising, and redness. More serious complications include an asymmetrical smile, infection, and unintended muscle weakness. It’s important to note that the effects of Botox are temporary and most often not permanent.

Masseter Botox can alleviate symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching. Botox® relaxes the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to reduce pain, improve jaw mobility, and ease facial tension. By reducing the bulk of the masseter muscles with Botox, this treatment can also help to slim the jawline. It’s important to note that you do not need to suffer symptoms to undergo a masseter botox treatment.

Over time, the masseter muscles gradually shrink, resulting in a more slender jawline. Typically masseter botox starts to kick in within one week. Results peak at approximately 6 weeks. Masseter botox before and after results are subtle with smaller doses and more dramatic with larger doses. Dr. Sri highly recommends that you return for a 6-week in-person follow-up visit for a complete exam and evaluation. She will assess symmetry and the strength of your masseter muscles. Photographs will be taken for you to review for comparison.

Botox is a temporary medication and wears off over time. The duration of masseter botox is based on the particular individual and the dose administered. Masseter Botox results can often last for 6 months. Repeated treatments are recommended to relieve symptoms and/or to maintain your desired look.

When masseter botox and chin filler are used together, they can enhance each other’s effects and create a more balanced facial appearance. The shape, projection, and length of the chin play a significant role in facial aesthetics. By slimming down the jawline with masseter botox and adding volume and definition to the chin with filler, Dr. Sri can help bring your lower face into better proportion with the rest of your facial features.