How is Botox Used to Reduce the Jaw Muscle?

Botox is injected directly into the jaw muscle, known as the masseter, to relax it, softening your jawline and giving you a thinner appearance.

Botox paralyzes muscles.  When it is injected into the jaw muscle (masseter), that muscle becomes weaker and smaller.  The final effect is very natural; it will look like the lower third of your face is smaller than previously.  The effects typically last about 6+ months.  

You will notice that it is a little harder to chew chewy items such as bagels.  Those that grind their teeth or clench their jaw also notice that they don't grind/clench as strongly.

Hypertrophic, or enlarged, masseter (chewing) muscles can be reduced in size by treating with Botox. Treatments should be done by an experienced provider so that there is a symmetric result. Placing an unequal strain on the cheek muscles could put the jaw socket out of alignment thereby exacerbating or causing a sore Jaw (TMJ syndrome).

Botox can be injected in certain locations into the masseter muscles on each side of the jaw.  Over time, the muscle will atrophy and shrink in size.  Multiple treatments are recommended over the course of 8-12 months.  This treatment is very popular in Asia and can help to narrow or slim down a face that is square in the cheeks from strong or hypertrophied masseter muscles.  Make sure you go to a trained physician when injecting Botox in this area because placement is important.

First, this is an off-label use of this product and lacks FDA approval for this treatment.  Your injecting physician can still perform this service for you.  The BOTOX slightly weakens this muscle and the resulting muscle atrophy that is cause by this bit of weakness account for a reduced muscle profile making the jaw line look less full.  Treatment typically lasts 4-6 months.

different doctors approach treatment in different ways...must inject 3-5 sites in the muscle with amounts of botox ranging from 15-30+ units per side with the understanding that low doses might require a second injection after about a month or so...it works by basically temporarily interrupting the nerve supply to the muscle and this results in the kind of muscle shrinkage you get from putting a cast on an arm or leg...even with just one treatment its not uncommon for benefits to last up to a year...and the visual effect is wonderful with a much thinner lower face rather than the more squared look...much more cosmetically appealing...

The use of Botox to contour the face is gaining popularity. Botox is injected directly into enlarged jaw muscles at the angle of the jaw. These muscles then shrink (atrophy) over time and soften the square-look that the enlarged muscles create. Also, if the treatment is maintained, the bony angle of the jaw may resorb slightly giving the face a softer contour.

The jaw muscles can be enlarged naturally, or commonly they enlarge with clenching or bruxing the teeth at night during sleep, or excessive gum chewing. If you wear a tooth guard at night or if your dentist tells you that you have excessive wear on your teeth, Botox to the jaw muscles help relax these muscles. I often treat patients for three treatments spaced three months apart to get the best effects on reducing the muscle mass of the masseters (clenching muscles of the jaw).

botox is used to decrease the jaw muscles. the masseter muscle is injected with botox, which will result in a decrease in volume. this will in turn diminish the square jaw lines. this gives very natural results as the change is gradual. you will require several treatments though.

 

Carlos Cordoba, MD

Plastic Surgeon

4055 Ste. Catherine Ouest , Suite 100
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
 

The use of Botox or Dysport to reduce or shape the jaw muscles is common in Asia and is  becoming more popular here. It is , however, an off label indication not approved by the FDA (by way of disclosure).

It is used by injecting the protein into the jaw muscles and then relaxing them. This has the effect of minimizing the "squareness" of the jaw. In many people, it also alleviates the pain of TMJ if this pain is caused by clenching.