Neurotoxin Treatment for Bruxism
Neurotoxin injections can be an effective way to manage the symptoms of bruxism.
Targeted Muscle – The injections are administered directly into the masseter muscles, the large chewing muscles located at the angle of your jaw.
How it works – The neurotoxin temporarily relaxes the treated portion of the masseter muscle. This reduces the force of involuntary clenching and grinding without typically affecting normal functions like chewing or speaking.
Expected Results – Patients often report reduced jaw pain, muscle soreness, and associated tension headaches. The relaxation may also lead to a softening of the jawline contour over time.
Duration – Effects typically last for approximately 3 to 6 months. Repeat treatment can be considered to maintain symptom control.
Please note that this treatment is purely a symptom management and not a cure, especially since bruxism may have psychological, neurological, or dental components that may persist.
Your Bruxism Consultation
At your consultation appointment, Susie will discuss your specific bruxism symptoms, such as the nature of your jaw pain or headaches. She will examine your masseter muscles, checking for tenderness or enlargement.
Susie will review your relevant medical history and discuss your treatment goals – whether focused on relieving pain and discomfort or also addressing concerns about jawline appearance. She will determine if neurotoxin injections are suitable for you and explain the procedure, appropriate dosage, expected outcomes, potential side effects, and costs involved. This is your chance to ask any questions about your proposed plan.
The Treatment Procedure
The procedure for treating bruxism with neurotoxin involves precise injections into the masseter muscles.
After cleansing the skin over your jawline, we will identify the optimal injection points within the masseter muscles. The neurotoxin is administered using a fine needle. The treatment itself is relatively quick, usually taking around 10 to 15 minutes. Most patients experience minimal discomfort during the injections.
Aftercare and Considerations
There is generally no significant downtime after masseter muscle injections for bruxism. You can typically resume your usual activities immediately. It is advisable to avoid rubbing or massaging the treated area for a few hours post-treatment.
Potential side effects are usually mild and may include –
- Temporary soreness at injection sites
- Slight bruising at injection sites
Infrequently, temporary changes to your smile or chewing sensation might occur, but these are usually mild and transient. Consulting your dentist regarding dental health and the potential use of a night guard can be a useful complementary measure. Susie will discuss these possibilities during your consultation.
Booking Your Bruxism Treatment Appointment
If you are experiencing symptoms of bruxism like jaw pain or tension headaches, neurotoxin treatment may be the answer to offer relief. We recommend you also discuss your dental health with your dentist. Please contact us at Rejuvenating Solutions to book in for a consultation with Susie to assess if masseter muscle injections are a suitable option for managing your symptoms. Have a question? please call or send us a message through our contact form.
