Masseter Botox in Calgary: Jaw Slimming, Teeth Grinding & What to Expect

Your masseter muscles do a lot of work. Every time you chew, clench your jaw or grind your teeth, they're involved. And just like other muscles in the body, the more they're used, the stronger and more prominent they can become.

That's where masseter Botox comes in.

Masseter Botox temporarily reduces how strongly these muscles contract. For someone who clenches or grinds their teeth, that can mean less force behind movement. For someone bothered by a wider or more square-looking lower face, relaxing the masseters can also gradually slim the appearance of the jawline.

Same treatment. Two very different reasons for getting it.

At art&fact, a surgeon-led plastic surgery and medical aesthetics clinic in Calgary, Alberta, we offer masseter Botox for both cosmetic and functional concerns. Here’s what masseter Botox can actually do, how long it takes to work and what you should know before deciding if it makes sense for you.

What Is Masseter Botox?

The masseters are large muscles that run along each side of the jaw and help you chew. You can actually feel them working if you place your fingers near the back of your jaw and clench your teeth.

Masseter Botox involves injecting a neuromodulator directly into these muscles to temporarily reduce how strongly they contract. Over time, a masseter that isn't working as hard can also decrease in size, which is why the treatment can help with jaw clenching and teeth grinding while also creating a slimmer appearance through the lower face.

Masseter Botox doesn't change the bone structure of your jaw. Any facial slimming comes from reducing the size and prominence of the muscle itself.

Can Masseter Botox Slim Your Jawline?

Yes, but only if the width of your lower face is partly coming from the masseter muscles.

If your masseters are enlarged or prominent, relaxing them with Botox can gradually reduce their size. As the muscles become less prominent, the lower face can look slimmer and less square.

The change isn't immediate. Botox starts reducing muscle activity first, while the visible slimming happens gradually over the following weeks.

Masseter Botox also can't change your bone structure or remove facial fat. If either of those is contributing to the shape of your lower face, Botox may not give you the result you're looking for.

Masseter Botox for Teeth Grinding and Jaw Clenching

Masseter Botox can also be used to reduce the force of jaw clenching and teeth grinding. By relaxing the masseter muscles, the jaw can't contract with the same strength, which may help reduce some of the tension and discomfort that comes with constantly overworking these muscles.

This can be helpful if you wake up with a sore or tired jaw, notice yourself clenching throughout the day or have been told you grind your teeth at night.

It doesn't necessarily stop the habit itself. You may still clench or grind, but with less force behind it.

Masseter Botox for Cosmetic vs. Functional Concerns

Masseter Botox works the same way whether your goal is cosmetic or functional, but what you're hoping to get out of the treatment can be very different.

Masseter Botox for Jaw Slimming vs. Teeth Grinding

Would You Benefit From Masseter Botox?

There are two simple ways to assess the size and prominence of your masseter muscles at home to see if you would benefit from botox. 

1. Look at Your Jaw While Clenching

Stand in front of a mirror with your mouth closed and your jaw slightly relaxed. Clench your back teeth together and watch the sides of your lower face. You may notice your masseter muscles bulging outward near the angle of your jaw.

If the muscles become noticeably prominent when you clench, masseter Botox may help reduce the horizontal width of the lower face and create a slimmer appearance.

2. Feel Your Masseter Muscles

Place your hands on the sides of your cheeks, just in front of the angle of the mandible (jaw angle) and behind your back teeth. Clench your teeth and you should feel the masseter muscles contract beneath your hands.

If the muscles feel particularly large or prominent when you clench, you may be a candidate for masseter Botox. At art&fact, our Calgary clinic, our injectors will map out your personalized plan and establish the best options for you.

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How Long Does Masseter Botox Take to Work?

Masseter Botox doesn't work immediately. You may start to notice less strength when clenching within the first couple of weeks, but changes to the shape of your lower face take longer.

If you're having masseter Botox for jaw slimming, the muscle needs time to gradually decrease in size. Visible slimming usually develops over several weeks and can continue to become more noticeable over the following months.

So if your goal is a slimmer jawline, don't expect to walk out of your appointment looking different. The cosmetic change happens gradually as the masseter becomes less prominent.

How Long Does Masseter Botox Last?

Masseter Botox is temporary. Results typically last around three to four months, although this can vary depending on the dose used, the strength of your masseter muscles and how quickly your body metabolizes the product.

With repeated treatments, some people may find they can go longer between appointments as the masseter muscles become smaller and less active over time.

If you stop getting masseter Botox, the effects will gradually wear off and normal muscle activity will return. If you continue to clench or grind your teeth, the masseters may also become more prominent again over time.

What to Expect During Masseter Botox Treatment

Before treatment, your injector will assess your jaw and feel the masseter muscles while you clench. This helps determine where the injections should be placed and how much product is needed on each side. The injections themselves only take a few minutes. 

There's little to no downtime afterward, although some tenderness, swelling or bruising around the injection sites is possible. Most people can return to their regular day after their appointment.

How Much Does Masseter Botox Cost in Calgary?

Cost for masseter Botox depends on how many units are needed to treat the muscles on each side of the jaw. Because the masseters are large, strong muscles, they typically require more units than areas like the forehead or around the eyes.

At art&fact, masseter Botox starts at $10 per unit, with the total cost depending on how many units are needed. The amount used will depend on the size and strength of your masseter muscles. Your consultation includes a written treatment plan with exact pricing before you make any decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Masseter Botox Affect My Chewing?

Your masseter muscles help you chew, so your jaw may feel a little different after treatment or get tired more easily when chewing tougher foods. The goal isn't to stop the muscles from working. It's to reduce how strongly they contract.

Can Masseter Botox Make Your Face Look Too Slim?

It can. If your lower face is already narrow or your masseter muscles aren't particularly large, reducing their size may create more slimming than you actually want. This is why masseter Botox isn't automatically the right treatment for everyone who wants a slimmer jawline.

Can Masseter Botox Help With TMJ?

It may help if your symptoms are related to jaw clenching or overactive masseter muscles, but not every TMJ problem comes from the masseters. Jaw pain can have different causes, so Botox isn't necessarily going to fix the underlying issue for everyone.

Do You Need Masseter Botox on Both Sides?

Usually, both sides are treated, but that doesn't mean they always need the exact same number of units. One masseter can be larger or stronger than the other, so your injector may adjust the amount used on each side.

Book your Masseter Botox consultation in Calgary

If you're researching Masseter Botox the next step is a consultation with one of our providers. During your consultation, your injector will assess your anatomy, discuss your goals, and explain your options so you can make an informed decision.

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art&fact is located at 2403 33 Avenue SW in Calgary's Marda Loop. Call (403) 800-9157 or book a consultation through our contact page.

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We look forward to meeting you!

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