Masseter treatment for jaw slimming and teeth grinding

The masseter is the strong chewing muscle at the back of your jaw, just in front of your ear. Clench your teeth and you can feel it tighten under your fingertips. In some people this muscle is naturally large. In others it has grown bulkier over years of clenching or grinding, often during sleep.

A large masseter can make the lower face look wider and squarer. Clenching can also leave the jaw aching and tight by the end of the day. Anti-wrinkle injections into the masseter are used to relax this muscle so it works a little less hard.

How masseter treatment works

A small amount of prescription medicine is injected into a few points in each masseter. It reduces the signals from the nerve to the muscle, so the muscle can't contract as forcefully. Over the following weeks a muscle that is used less tends to get smaller, much like any muscle you stop training.

You will still be able to chew, talk and smile normally. The aim is to reduce the force of the muscle, not stop it working.

Jaw slimming

When the muscle reduces in size the lower face can look softer and more tapered. This change is gradual. Most people notice a difference in how the jaw feels within a couple of weeks. The slimming effect usually takes six to eight weeks to show and can keep developing after that.

It's worth knowing that not every wide jaw is caused by muscle. Bone structure and fat also shape the lower face. Part of the consultation is feeling the muscle while you clench to see whether treatment is likely to help.

Teeth grinding and clenching

Grinding and clenching (known as bruxism) can wear teeth down. For some people it also causes jaw pain or tension headaches. Relaxing the masseter may reduce the force behind the clenching, which many people find eases those symptoms. It doesn't cure the habit or treat the cause. It's sensible to keep seeing your dentist and to keep wearing a night guard if you have one.

Using anti-wrinkle treatment in the masseter is classed as off-label in the UK. This is common in aesthetics and your prescriber will explain what it means before you decide.

What to expect

• A face-to-face consultation first, where a prescriber checks the treatment is suitable for you
• A quick appointment with a few small injections on each side
• Possible mild tenderness, redness or small bruises where the needle went in
• Some people find their jaw tires more easily when chewing tough food for the first few weeks
• A review around two weeks after treatment to check how you're getting on

Less commonly, the product can affect nearby muscles and cause a temporary change to your smile. This is one reason careful placement matters. Results usually last around four to six months, although this varies from person to person. With repeat treatments some people find the effect lasts a little longer.

Who it may not suit

Treatment isn't suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It also may not suit people with certain neuromuscular conditions or those taking some medicines. Your full medical history is taken at consultation so these things can be checked properly.

If jaw tension or a square jawline has been bothering you, Lucy is happy to talk it through at a free consultation in Addlestone. You'll come away knowing whether masseter treatment is right for you.