What are the pros and cons to getting Botox in the masseter?

Question

I'm getting Botox soon for my masseter muscles due to clenching, and I was wondering if there will be any negative side affects or swelling, and how long they'll last for?

Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS, MBA · Answer

Botox injections in the masseter muscle can help calm the muscles that you use to clench your jaw and grind your teeth. Botox injection results take about 10-14 days to reach their peak, and the injections last about 3-6 months. Injections use a very fine needle to reduce any discomfort. There may be a slight sting at first, but there is very little lingering discomfort and you can continue regular activity immediately after the procedure. This is an effective treatment for bruxism (clenching/grinding of teeth).
The most common risks are short term and can include headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, and nausea. Less common BOTOX® risks include symptoms that are generally associated with the injection, such as localized pain, redness, swelling, bruising, bleeding, numbness, and muscle weakness. These symptoms generally subside within a week.

Mitchel Goldman, MD · Answer

The only real side effects to Botox arise from either the injections themselves (slight soreness, swelling, bruising, etc. for a few days at most) or to operator error. You can avoid that last possibility by working with an expert dermatologist. As far as the pros of getting Botox in the masseter, it’s a wonderful remedy to jaw clenching, jaw pain and bruxism. It may even give you a slightly slimmer look to your lower face. Please consult a board-certified dermatologist who has expert injection technique and demonstrated success with relaxing the jaw using Botox.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Botox is a safe procedure for the masseter and clenching. Results will take 1-2 weeks and will resolve in 3-4 months. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Kory Kitagawa, MD · Answer

Botox is a very useful and effective neuromodulator that’s helped transform dermatology over the last few decades. Other than some minor trauma at the injection sites that may persist a few days &mdash; such as soreness, redness, or swelling &mdash; there really are no cons. That’s provided, of course, that you get your Botox done by an expert. Expertise is especially required when treating the masseters. 
The Pros of working with a Pro when treating the masseter is that it will relax your jaw, give you a slimmer look to your face, and stop you from clenching. The Cons of working with someone who isn’t a Pro is that you could have trouble chewing if you are injected improperly. A board-certified dermatologist who is an expert at using Botox to treat the masseters is the only person you should consider to help you relax your jaw.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

The advantage of Botox to the masseter is that it can help bruxism (jaw clenching) and prominence of the masseter muscle from an aesthetic standpoint. The physician needs to be careful in the injection pattern and there may be mild bruising and swelling from injection but as long as a judicious amount is used without excess, nice improvement can be seen. Be sure to see a very experienced board certified plastic surgeon, facial plastic ENT surgeon or dermatologist if you are considering this.

Johnson C. Lee, MD · Answer

Botox is great to weaken the masseter muscles to reduce clenching as well as to narrow the back of the jawline for the appearance of a narrow face. The treatment is only temporary however and you will likely require touch-ups every 3-4 months to maintain the effect. Other negative side effects can include temporary bruising or swelling or anterior migration of the botox which can slightly alter your smile. These can be avoided if injected carefully. It is important to have an in-office examination and discussion to determine the best and safest treatment plan for your problem and to go over the entire list of benefits, possible side effects/complications, and alternatives for an informed consent. Hope this helps!!Johnson C. Lee, MD Plastic Surgery@drjohnsonlee

John P. Guste, MD · Answer

Great question. Like everything, there are potential for negative side effects. There is usually no swelling associated with botox injections in the masseter muscle unless you develop a bruise. As far as negative side effects, the main ones are asymmetric smile if the botox is placed too anteriorly. It could potentially weaken the other facial muscles causing asymmetry. It will last as long as the botox lasts which is usually around 3-4 months.  Also, as the muscle atrophies and the face slims, it could unmask previously unnoticed jowls. 
The pros ultimately depend if the patient is a good candidate for botox. Your plastic surgeon will help determine that for you.
Hope this helps.

Joanna Teh, MD · Answer

Botox injection into the masseter can be a very effective treatment to relieve the tension from clenching. The added aesthetic bonus is a slimmer jaw line.
 It usually involves 3 to 5 injection points deep into the masseter muscles. 
Side effects can be minimised with proper assessment and technique.
Potential side effects:
•Bruising and swelling may occur but it is often minor and temporary. 
•Other potential side effects that's may occur is temporary tired feeling in the masseter when chewing on something tough. 
•Potentially muscle ache at the injection site. 
All these side effects are temporary, lasting from a few days to 4 weeks.

Melvin Elson, MD · Answer

The good news is that it works and works well. There may be some discomfort and there may be difficulty in smiling widely depending on the technique used. It takes at least 2 weeks to notice the difference and i have had patients getting results anytwhere from 4 to 8 months

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

There is no such thing as pros and cons of using Botox in the masseter muscle. If there are indications for using Botox, then you will only benefit from using Botox as it is being used for slimming of the face as well as reducing pain that patients have in their TMJ and to prevent people from grinding at night.Good luck from New York City

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