Does Clenching Your Teeth/jaw Make Jaw Muscles (Masseter Muscles) Bigger and Bulge out?

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5 Doctor Answers | Asked by alexandercruz91

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Large cheeks may be related to big masseter muscles and Botox can help

Many people who have large cheeks, especially the lower cheek, are affected by hypertrophic masseter muscles from clenching. This can sometimes cause a painful TMJ, or temporo-mandibular joint syndrome. Relaxation of these muscles are often curative and Botox can be used to relax these muscles. There can be risks of asymmetric treatment.

Clenching the teeth can cause a square face, larger masseter muscles

Yes, clenching your teeth regularly with make your masseter muscles more prominent and give you that 'square jaw' look and Botox is useful in reducing the size and function of the masseter muscle. Repeat treatments will be necessary to achieve this goal..

Clenching jaw and grinding teeth at night may increase size and appearance of masseter muscles

Hi and thank you for your question. Ironically, we see a great number of patients who complain of the action itself (sore jaw from clenching at night, or grinding teeth) as well as the appearance or change in facial shape. Small doses of Botox is an excellent treatment option to soften, relax, and return facial shape, often providing relief in all areas of concern. If you have a Botox provider already, be sure to ask about this treatment and if you do not already have a provider, I suggest... more

Jaw clenching and masseter muscles

Yes. In fact this can really make the masseter muscles quite large completely changing facial appearance. Patients have a thicker face. Injection of Botox into the masseter muscles can greatly help and "thin" the face. Enlarged parotid glands can also make the cheeks look thick. Botox can also reduce the size of parotid glands. I have posted a link below of a recent article on this topic.

Botox and jaw clenching

Yes, in a sense clenching your jaw and/or grinding your teeth will strengthen those muscles, thereby increasing the size causing potential bulging. Botox is commonly placed in the masseter muscles to lessen the strength and size, and results in a desirable facial contour.