Will temple botox make my masseters over compensate? (Photo)

Question

Hi, i received masseter botox in june of 2022. 12 units in my left and 10 in my right. absolutely hated it. it gave me laugh lines, jowls, and a plethora of problems i’ve been spending so long fixing. however, as of recently i have been experiencing high levels of stress. i discovered that i have been grinding my teeth which may have lead to hypertrophy of my temples. my head looks wider it’s making my face look fuller. if i get temple botox, will that make my masseters overcompensate/enlarge?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your experience with masseter Botox.

I understand your concerns about the potential effects of Botox injections in the temple area. Here are some insights that might help:

Masseter Botox and Compensatory Hypertrophy:

When Botox is injected into the masseter muscles, it weakens these muscles, which can lead to a reduction in their size over time. However, this can sometimes result in compensatory hypertrophy of other muscles involved in chewing, such as the temporalis muscles (located in the temple area).
Temple Botox:

Injecting Botox into the temples targets the temporalis muscles. This treatment is often used to alleviate tension headaches or to slim down the appearance of hypertrophied temporalis muscles. If the temporalis muscles are causing your head to look wider, Botox in this area could potentially help reduce that fullness.
Potential for Overcompensation:

It is unlikely that treating the temporalis muscles with Botox will cause the masseter muscles to overcompensate and enlarge. Each set of muscles functions independently, and weakening the temporalis muscles should not directly increase the activity or size of the masseters.
Given your history with Botox and the complications you've experienced, I recommend consulting with a board-certified dermatologist or a facial plastic surgeon who has expertise in facial muscle anatomy and Botox treatments. They can perform a thorough evaluation and provide personalized advice to address your concerns and minimize any potential risks.

Best regards,

Will temple botox make my masseters over compensate? (Photo)

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Will temple botox make my masseters over compensate? (Photo)

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