Is BOTOX® Safe to Use in the Jaw?
Posted June 08, 2023 in BOTOX® Cosmetic
The name “BOTOX®” has become synonymous with aesthetic improvement. BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the most effective (not to mention the most popular) neuromodulators available. In fact, it is the most commonly chosen cosmetic treatment of any kind in the United States, with over 4.4 million injections performed in 2020.
While most people tend to think that BOTOX® Cosmetic can only be used in the upper face to treat dynamic wrinkles, including crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines, the truth is that BOTOX® offers many more benefits, including improvement to the jaw and jawline.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at BOTOX® and discuss how this non-surgical treatment can help treat issues with your jaw.
What Is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a neurotoxin composed of botulinum toxin-A. This minimally invasive injectable treatment helps to relax the injected muscles, keeping them from constant muscle contractions. In the upper face, these contractions (which often happen when we make facial expressions, such as smiling, frowning, and squinting) can create unwanted wrinkles and lines on the skin. The injected solution temporarily blocks signals sent from the muscle to the brain, therein causing the muscles to no longer contract.
Beyond treating wrinkles and fine lines, BOTOX® is effective in treating issues such as excessive sweating, migraines, and incontinence. Along with these benefits, BOTOX® can help treat functional issues with the jaws by relaxing the masseter muscle (which stretches from your cheekbone to your jaw).
What Jaw Issues Can BOTOX® Treat?
In addition to cosmetic benefits provided with BOTOX® Cosmetic in the jaw, such as a slimmer-looking jaw, there are also medical benefits.
Many women and men suffer from jaw-related pain and discomfort. For some people, this pain stems from teeth clenching, teeth grinding, and/or jaw clenching.
Others suffer from TMJ dysfunction, which causes jaw pain, clicking, locking, and difficulty chewing. The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) connects the jawbone to the skull, meaning that pain in this area can severely disrupt your daily activities.
Thankfully, BOTOX® offers relief from jaw pain so that you can get back to smiling and living your best life.
How Is BOTOX® for the Jaw Performed?
BOTOX® in the jaw, also known as masseter BOTOX®, is performed in the same manner as traditional BOTOX® Cosmetic injections. Your BOTOX® provider will inject the solution directly into your masseter muscle. This injection will cause your muscle to relax, ensuring that it does not clench (and your teeth do not grind).
This injectable treatment usually takes less than 30 minutes to perform, and with BOTOX®, you can expect your jaw pain relief to last anywhere from three to six months before needing a repeat injection treatment.
After your BOTOX® treatment, you can find yourself feeling more relaxed and free of pain in the jaw, which can help you to live a happier and fuller life.
Contact Us Today to Begin Your BOTOX® Journey
If you are interested in learning more about the many uses of BOTOX® in Miami, Florida, please give us a call at (305) 960-7511 or fill out our online contact form.