How Long Does Botox in the Masseter Muscle/jawline Really Last?

Thanks for the question. This is one of my favorite uses of Botox, as I've been able to help hundreds of patients overcome their severe TMJ pain and teeth grinding. Additionally, many female patients receive masseter Botox to narrow the jawline, creating a thinner look to the lower face. In general, the Botox begins to wear off around 3-4 months later, but many patients don't feel the need for another treatment until 6-12 months post-treatment. This is because the muscles remain a bit smaller and softer, and many patients are able to break the habit of grinding their teeth. If patients return on the earlier side, I can often achieve the same results with fewer units. Best regards,Dr. Mehta

You actually had a smaller dose for this area and indication.  Your botox should last between 2 and 4 months with an average of 3 months.

You should expect to see results in three to four days, but in as few as two and as many as five days. On average patients return every three to six months for additional treatments. Good luck.

The good news is that botox always wears away.  The stronger the dose, the longer it lasts.  In my patients, the initial botox treatment lasts from 3-6 months in the masseter area.  As you continue to have botox in the area, you will likely notice that the duration of effects lasts longer (6-9 months).  I believe that this is due to chronic underuse of the muscle.You will notice that your ability to clench your teeth returns first, and then the masseter will grow back again.  If this is your first treatment, your face should return fully to its original shape.  

There was a good study out of Asia looking at this and yes it does tend to last longer than in the facial muscles but probably no longer than 6 months.  Certainly not permanent.  The more times you do it, the more the muscles atrophy and yes, in that same study, if you did it for 5 years the muscles would permanently stay smaller but again, this is only after repeated treatments with no breaks over many years. 

I would say that the treatment lasts a couple months longer than the forehead/crows feet/frown regions.  It is also a gradual onset of the return of masseter function.  I have tried the masseter injections myself and space the treatments around 4 months apart, but use smaller doses to maintain the effect.  I normally know the effects are wearing down when I start to clench my teeth more heavily at night when asleep.

The masseter muscle reacts to Botox in pretty much in the same way as any other muscle. Results last a few months but can last for up to a year depending on lifestyle habits. Touch-up injections may be required twice a year to maintain results.

On average, the botox effect will wear off in four months. it will not be permanent. jaw shaping and masseter muscle will not be permanently affected by botox injections.

Generally even with this small dose, it will take 4-6 months for the massetter muscle volume to return to normal.  In terms of bit strength, this will begin to return to normal after a few months.  Hang in there.

Unlike regular wrinkle injections, the effect of injections in the masseters typically last between 4-6months before needing another treatment.