When getting Botox to the masseter muscle, which location affects smile?

Question

I have had botox for my jaw where it affected my smile. Is it because botox was injected too anterior from the masseter muscle towards the lips or is it from going too high above the masseter muscle? If it is the latter, how can you slim the muscles on the top of the jaw muscles near ear?

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Masseter botox can deactivate some of the zygomaticus muscle making your smile more horizontal than u-shaped. This will completely resolve in several months. Thanks! Dr Joseph

Onir Spiegel, DDS, PhD · Answer

Masseter Botox is the way to go non-surgically to slim the face along the jawline. Injecting the masseter should not affect your smile. If it does, it's because a different facial muscle may have been injected usually above the masseter muscle. I recommend going to a doctor who does many of these for the best predictable results.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Botox injections to the masseter muscles should be placed lateral enough not to affect your smile.  When too far anterior or superiorly placed, Botox may affect the lip elevator muscles which of course affects your smile.
Dr. Taranow

When getting Botox to the masseter muscle, which location affects smile?

Answers (3)