Most people are familiar with botulinum toxin to get rid of wrinkles or plump up lips. But recent studies have shown that botulinum toxin’s muscle-relaxing properties show promise in stopping jaw clenching and teeth grinding for some time. Like any overactive muscle in the body, the masseter muscle can increase in size over time, leading to a more bulky appearance. When you inject botox into this muscle to relieve the symptoms of teeth grinding, it will also help slim the jawline.
The good news is that Dr. Maureen Roach, at Metropolitan Dental Care in downtown Denver, is now certified to administer botox. This procedure has minimal discomfort and virtually no downtime. “We have definitely seen a rise in teeth grinding in our Denver practice. It’s often associated with increased stress and/or anxiety, which most people are experiencing on some level with the events of the last two years, including the pandemic” according to Dr. Roach.
If you’re treated with botulinum toxin for bruxism, a small amount will be injected into the muscles responsible for moving your jaw – most likely the masseter muscle, which is responsible for chewing. It may also be injected into the frontalis and temporalis muscles according to your specific needs. The botulinum toxin will reduce clenching, and it will also help with any accompanying tension and aches in your head that you may be experiencing. Botulinum toxin usually kicks in a few days after injection (but can take up to two weeks), and the effects could last 3 to 6 months.
Most likely, botulinum toxin will not be the first treatment Dr. Roach, or her partners at Metropolitan Dental Care will recommend for bruxism. If you tend to grind your teeth in your sleep, a nighttime mouthguard is a typical recommendation. It can decrease damage to your teeth and lessen soreness from muscle tension. In addition, physical therapy is a further recommendation for a lot of patients who suffer with bruxism.
It’s recommended that you discuss all your treatment options with Dr. Roach before deciding to use botulinum toxin to treat bruxism.
