Masseter Botox: cost, when to get it, side effects

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botox injections, under the hands of a seasoned professional, can be a gift that keeps on giving. from ophthalmologist jean carruthers first discovered neurotoxin wrinkle reducing effects In the 1980s, the injection became the most popular cosmetic treatment in the United States. Common FDA-approved areas to get Botox generally include the forehead and crow’s feet, but there are also off-label parts of the face, such as the masseter, that are becoming more popular.

You’ve probably heard of people who have jaw pain or TMJ and getting Botox to help relieve tension; it is thanks to this practice. “Maseter Botox is the injection of neurotoxin into the muscle to paralyze or weaken it,” jaimie de rosaMD, founder of DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery and Medical Spahe tells POPSUGAR. The masseter is a chewing muscle and is located in the jaw area, where people can endure a lot of stress and strain.

There are a myriad of reasons why people may choose to receive the injection at the site. To help us understand a little more, Dr. DeRosa breaks down everything you need to know about masseter Botox, from how much it costs to whether the treatment is right for you.

How does masseter botox work?

The process of getting masseter Botox is similar to getting the injection anywhere else, with one exception. “The toxin is injected directly into the muscle,” says Dr. DeRosa. “I have the patient bite down hard and clench his jaw so that the masseter contracts so he can feel, and often see, the outline of the muscle.”

Since the masseter is reasonably large, Dr. DeRosa typically injects at various points depending on how much Botox she needs to use (there are usually three to four injections total). “In addition, I tell my patients that it can take up to two weeks to see full results and that the effects of masseter Botox usually wear off in three to four months,” she says.

Benefits of masseter botox

There are a few reasons why people receive this treatment, and they are equally for aesthetic and health reasons. “When you chew, the masseter contracts, so you can feel a hard muscle in the back of your face,” says Dr. DeRosa. “While we need the muscle to chew, sometimes it works too well and becomes too big as a result.” This enlargement of the area can be caused by genetics or by overworking it by chewing a lot of gum, grinding your teeth, or doing any other activity that causes a lot of movement in the area.

When the masseter muscle becomes enlarged, also known as “masseter hypertrophy,” it can result in the lower part of the face along the back of the jaw line looking wide and large. “This can also trigger medical conditions including migraines and TMJ,” says Dr. DeRosa. “Also, sometimes people can clench their jaws so hard because of the strong masseter muscles that they break their teeth.”

How to determine if Masseter Botox is right for you

As with all of your cosmetic and health decisions, the decision to go ahead with a procedure is completely yours. Still, if he’s been on the fence about whether or not to get masseter Botox, Dr. DeRosa has some recommendations to consider. “Some people know they’re done when they’ve exhausted other treatments for their particular problem,” she says. “If you’ve sought help for broken teeth from clenching, migraines, or TMJ without success, you may want to consider this as your next step.”

Others will know they are ready for masseter Botox when they feel that the lower part of their face is too wide or square due to large masseter muscles. One of the advantages of masseter botox is that since it paralyzes the muscle, once it is fully working, the muscle will start to shrink over time due to disuse, therefore changing the shape of the area. Each result will be personal to you, so if you’re wondering if you’d benefit from masseter botox, Dr. DeRosa recommends speaking with a doctor, dentist, or certified professional who can answer all of your treatment questions before you take the plunge.

Cons of Masseter Botox

Of course, Botox masseter is not for everyone. If you receive injections for TMJ or any type of jaw pain, over time, you may find that the treatment is having an unintended consequence: changing the shape of your face. This is due to the fact that when paralyzed by the neurotoxin, the muscle is not used and therefore becomes smaller. Some people forgo treatment entirely for this reason, and in that case, you can talk to your provider about mouth guards, massage, or other alternatives to help manage pain.

How much does masseter botox cost?

As with most treatments, the cost of Botox can vary depending on the amount used, where you live, your injector, etc. Unlike many primarily cosmetic treatments, however, masseter Botox can sometimes be covered by insurance. “Since some of the reasons for procedures can sometimes be medical/dental, there are cases where Botox for the masseter is covered,” says Dr. DeRosa. “My recommendation is to discuss payment with your doctor prior to treatment, as it typically needs to be ‘pre-approved’ by your insurer, and not all injectors accept insurance.”

Masseter Botox Before and After

Now that you know everything you need to know about masseter botox, you have another tool in your arsenal to achieve your health and aesthetic goals. As with any injectable, surgery, or procedure, be sure to work with certified providers who can answer any questions you have before committing, and don’t be afraid to ask for references or search to ensure you have a top-notch provider. experience from start to finish.