Teeth grinding and jaw clenching — known medically as bruxism — is a surprisingly common condition that can cause significant pain, dental damage, and disruption to everyday life. Many people are entirely unaware they are doing it, particularly those who grind their teeth during sleep. At Eye and Face Clinic, Consultant Surgeon Dr Janice Brady offers botulinum toxin injections into the masseter muscle — a safe, proven, and highly effective treatment that relaxes the overactive jaw muscles responsible for grinding and clenching, providing meaningful and lasting relief.
Many people first become aware of bruxism through the symptoms it causes rather than the grinding itself. Common signs and symptoms include:
Left untreated, bruxism can progress to more serious complications. Dental damage caused by bruxism can require extensive dental treatments, and TMJ dysfunction can lead to frequent, debilitating headaches, sleep disruption, and pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, and ears.
When injected into the masseter muscle — the large muscle that moves the jaw — botulinum toxin helps reduce muscle activity, thereby alleviating both the unconscious grinding of the teeth and the excessive stress on the jaw. This targeted application does not interfere with normal activities like talking and eating, but significantly decreases the power of the muscle contractions associated with grinding.
When precisely injected into the masseter muscles, botulinum toxin relaxes these overactive muscles, reducing the intensity of clenching and grinding. This targeted approach not only alleviates jaw pain but also helps protect teeth from further damage and can improve sleep quality by minimising nocturnal muscle activity.
Your treatment begins with a thorough consultation with Dr Brady, during which your symptoms, dental history, and medical background will be reviewed and a personalised treatment plan created. The procedure itself is quick and straightforward — small, precise amounts of botulinum toxin are injected directly into the masseter muscle on each side of the face using a very fine needle. A topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand to ensure your comfort.
The procedure is minimally invasive and most patients begin to notice relief within two weeks. The jaw muscles gradually relax over this period, with the full benefit of reduced grinding, reduced jaw pain, and a slimmer jawline becoming apparent within four weeks of treatment.
The treatment helps to reduce symptoms for up to six months with few side effects. Repeat treatments are recommended to maintain results and, over time, many patients find that the masseter muscle gradually reduces in size with repeated treatment cycles.
Masseter injections require precise knowledge of facial anatomy and muscle function. As a Consultant Surgeon with specialist facial expertise, Dr Brady ensures the correct muscle is targeted and dosage is tailored to each patient, for effective, natural-looking results.
She understands bruxism is often a source of pain, dental anxiety, and disrupted sleep — not just a cosmetic concern — and treats each patient’s symptoms and goals accordingly.
At Eye and Face Clinic, patient safety and satisfaction come first.
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