24 year old male, teeth clenching. Am I a good candidate for Masseter-Botox for TMJ? (photo)

Based on your symptoms and photo - you are an excellent candidate for TMJ related hypertrophy of the masseter muscles. Be careful to find an experienced provider who knows to avoid the risorius muscle which if accidentally injected - can cause a crooked smile for 3-4 months. Please watch the attached link for more information.

Masseter Botox can be an effective treatment for addressing teeth clenching and TMJ symptoms, particularly if these issues are related to hypertrophy of the masseter muscles. Here are some considerations to help determine if you might be a good candidate:

Masseter Hypertrophy: If your jaw appears bulky due to enlarged masseter muscles from chronic clenching, Botox can help reduce muscle size and alleviate clenching by temporarily relaxing the muscles.

TMJ Symptoms: Botox may provide relief from TMJ-related discomfort by reducing muscle tension and associated pain.

Facial Slimming: In addition to addressing functional issues, masseter Botox can also offer aesthetic benefits by slimming the lower face, which might help with concerns about facial width.

Consultation: It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider, such as a dermatologist or maxillofacial specialist, who can evaluate your specific condition and determine if Botox is appropriate for you. They can assess the balance between muscle and fat in your face and provide personalized recommendations.

Bimaxillary Surgery Consideration: Since you are planning bimaxillary surgery next year, it might be worthwhile to discuss with your surgeon how Botox could fit into your overall treatment plan.

Overall, a comprehensive evaluation by a specialist will help ensure that you receive the most suitable treatment for your needs.

Masseter Botox can be helpful to alleviate TMJ symptoms. It can also lessen the bulky appearance of the jaw. Botox is done in the office with the final result seen after two weeks. The product effects gradually wear off over about three to four months. Visit with an expert injector to further your discuss your concerns and learn more about the treatment.

Based on what you've described, here’s a straightforward explanation:
Teeth Clenching (Bruxism): Your jaw misalignment from the crossbite likely caused stress on your TMJ and overworked your jaw muscles, leading to night-time clenching. The planned surgery (Bimax-Op) should correct the alignment and help reduce this issue over time.
Bulky Jaw and Wide Face: The bulkiness is likely due to enlarged masseter muscles (masseter hypertrophy) caused by years of clenching. This can make your face appear wider. Buccal fat is less likely the main cause but can contribute slightly to facial fullness.
Next Steps:
The surgery will fix your jaw alignment and reduce stress on the TMJ and muscles.If the masseters remain bulky post-surgery, treatments like Botox can slim them down.If needed, you can also explore options like buccal fat pad reduction later.Your treatment plan is on the right track, and the surgery should address most of your concerns. I recommend following your surgeon’s advice closely and revisiting the issue of jaw bulkiness after healing from surgery.
Best wishes,Dr. Miller Vieira Paula