When you picture the word “Botox”, you might be inundated with images of unnatural, expressionless and botched faces. In reality, Botox (derived from Botulinum toxin) is a neuromodulator used to temporarily relax muscles and treat various medical conditions.
But aside from the face, did you know Botox can be done in unexpected areas, such as Botox in the cheeks, palms, and even the trapezoids? Did you also know that Botox offers more than just wrinkle relaxation? It also manages facial contour, reduces stress, and even eases migraines.
Botox in the cheek region targets the masseter muscle, a powerful muscle that extends from the lower edge of the cheekbone down to the lower jawbone.
At Guelph Medical Laser, located in Guelph, Ontario, our approach with Botox is to start slow and move based on your comfort level. We take a gentle approach, guiding you through the entire process.
In this post, we’ll explore how Botox works, specifically Botox in the cheeks, and its surprising alternative functions.
How Does Masseter Muscle Botox Work?
Botox temporarily relaxes muscles, but how does it work?
There’s a chemical messenger in our bodies called Acetylcholine. It is involved in communication between nerve cells and other cells such as muscle cells, other neuron cells etc. In scenarios where it connects with muscles, it leads to muscle contraction.
Botulinum toxin prevents this, allowing the muscle to relax instead and effectively managing fine lines and wrinkles. This is why Botox must be done in small, controlled doses and by skilled professionals.
What makes Botox so genius is that it’s temporary, so you don’t have to worry about permanent effects. That’s why Botox requires multiple follow-ups.
Masseter Botox for Bruxism
Do you catch yourself grinding your teeth often, even when asleep?
This is called bruxism, and we treat it using mouthguards or changing our habits.
But a better way to deal with teeth grinding is using Botox on the masseter muscle. Botox makes this muscle relax and weaken, preventing strong grinding. This means your jaw and teeth won’t clench on their own anymore. It also helps with other problems like:
- A tense jaw
- Pain in your jaw, neck, or face
- Feeling pain or sensitivity in your teeth
- Getting headaches from grinding your teeth
Masseter Botox for Clenching
If your masseter muscle has been working really hard, it might also be tiring out your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can lead to a problem called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
To fight this, getting a Botox injection in your masseter muscle can help relax it and make TMJ symptoms feel better.
Botox in the masseter muscle can help with:
- Hurting jaw
- Problems with your TMJ
- Not being able to open your mouth very wide
- Your jaw gets stuck sometimes
- Headaches that come from your jaw feeling tense
Masseter Botox for Face Slimming
There isn’t anything wrong with a round face, but if it’s not your cup of tea, you can achieve a slimming effect with Botox injections to the masseter muscle.
Botox to the masseter muscle relaxes and eventually shrinks the posterior lower cheek and decreases the fullness of the face. The result? A slimmer-looking face and a more defined jawline.
This is a great non-surgical alternative to the trending buccal fat removal procedure.
Masseter Botox for Headaches
If you often grind your teeth or have a tight jaw, you’ll deal with frequent headaches as a result.
By using Botox to relax the masseter muscle to treat teeth grinding or TMJ, you might also get rid of those headaches, sleep better, and improve your daily function.
Masseter Botox for Asymmetry
Lastly, as the masseter muscles relax with Botox, the jawline becomes more defined to create an overall balanced and symmetrical facial shape.
Visit Us at Guelph Medical Laser
Here is something extra for you to note:
“Long term use of injectables will prevent future lines and wrinkles from appearing. Essentially slowing the aging process. Neuromodulators are becoming more and more popular as a preventative treatment.”
At Guelph Medical Laser, our philosophy is always to provide you with the most subtle and natural-looking results. We want you to feel confident and to address your top concerns.
Whether you’re still considering Botox for masseter muscles or ready to start, you can schedule a consultation with our skilled staff to discuss your options.
We look forward to speaking with you.
