Looking to solve issue where temples tend to bulge when I chew or when jaw is lowered. Temporalis Hypertrophy? Botox? (Photo)

Question

I'm looking to solve this issue where my temples tend to bulge when I chew or when my jaw is lowered... from what I've been able to gather with Google it seems to be linked to my Temporalis muscles which seem like can be solved with a bit of Botox. Any advice? would a few treatments of Botox permanently solve this? any other ways to solve this issue? any solutions at all?

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

From the photos and description that you have provided it appears that you indeed have temporalis muscle hyperactivity and hypertrophy and what sounds like masseter muscle hypertrophy.  Botox (and other neuromodulators) are very effective in treating these issues.  The solution is only temporary however, relaxing these muscles even temporarily may have a long lasting effect on the size of the muscle over time.

Maria Milone, MBBS · Answer

Thankyou for your question .It would be useful to know if this is associated with masseter hypertrophy ie do you grind your teeth or have a square jaw? If this is the case I would start with botox treatment to the masseters  as bilateral  temple muscle hypertrophy is usually in reaction to  increased chewing  muscle action. If you have temporalis hypertrophy in isolation I would be looking for a cause in the area of the skull/jaw/dentition . Temporalis muscle can be injected but this would be off label use

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Botox is a fabulous way to freeze the muscle on a temporary basis and that is the way that it works to reduce wrinkles. I use a great deal of Botox for the masseter muscle to freeze the muscle for slimming the face as well.  Please consult an expert in Botox to assess the situation.  Best, Dr. Green

Leonard Grossman, MD · Answer

When you chew, you're basically flexing the temporalis and masseter muscles. This is the reason why you see a bulge when your jaw is moving but it's only while it is moving. If this bothers you a great deal, then you can definitely have botox injected into the temporalis muscle and it will stop the movement significantly. This is not going to be a permanent solution however as you will need to repeat the treatments every 3 to 4 months. Good luck from New York City

Looking to solve issue where temples tend to bulge when I chew or when jaw is lowered. Temporalis Hypertrophy? Botox? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Hypertrophy of temporalis muscle treatment

Answer: Hypertrophy of temporalis muscle treatment

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Looking to solve issue where temples tend to bulge when I chew or when jaw is lowered. Temporalis Hypertrophy? Botox? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Hypertrophy of temporalis muscle treatment

Answer: Hypertrophy of temporalis muscle treatment

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Botox

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.