Masseter Botox
What Is It?
The masseter is the powerful muscle at the angle of the jaw that drives chewing. In people who clench or grind their teeth it works continuously and thickens over time; the lower face widens and the jaw angle becomes prominent.
Masseter Botox works by temporarily reducing this excessive muscle activity. As the muscle works less it thins over time, which has two consequences — the lower face looks more oval, and tension related to clenching may ease. That is why the treatment comes up with two quite different expectations.
How Is It Done?
Treatment begins with examination of the muscle. How prominent the masseter becomes when the teeth are clenched is assessed by hand, the difference between the two sides is measured and the borders of the muscle are marked. Whether the width of the lower face comes from muscle rather than fat or bone structure is established — if the source is not muscle, the treatment will not meet the expectation.
Dose is set according to muscle thickness and placed into the muscle within the marked safe zone, with attention to the borders so the product does not spread to the muscles of smiling. The procedure averages 15 minutes and needs no anaesthesia. Where clenching is the main complaint, dental assessment is also advised and a night guard may be planned alongside.
Who Is It For?
Suitable for people who clench or grind their teeth, describe morning tension in the jaw and temples, or whose lower face looks wide because of muscle bulk. The aesthetic and symptom-driven expectations often coexist in the same person.
If the width of the lower face comes from bone structure or fat tissue, the treatment will not give the expected result; this distinction is made at examination. It is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in neuromuscular disease, with active infection at the site, or with known allergy to the toxin. Where a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder has been diagnosed, that assessment comes first.
Process & Recovery
Examination
The muscle is assessed by hand while the teeth are clenched; the difference between the two sides and the muscle borders are marked. The source of lower-face width is established and photographs are taken.
Treatment day
The skin is cleansed, the safe zone is marked and the dose is placed into the muscle. It averages 15 minutes and needs no anaesthesia.
First 24 hours
Brief tenderness at the injection points is possible. The rules for this first day are set out in the “Aftercare Notes” section of this page; the aim is to avoid straining the muscle immediately after treatment.
Weeks 1-3
The reduction in clenching force is felt first; any change in morning tension is usually noticed in this period. Chewing function is preserved — only excessive force is reduced.
Months 2-3
The reduction in muscle bulk becomes visible gradually — the change in the lower-face contour appears in this period. Review and any renewal are planned on this timeline.
Results & Duration
Two different results arrive on two different timelines: the reduction in clenching force is felt in the first weeks, while the change in appearance from reduced muscle bulk becomes clear over 2-3 months. An impression of “no difference” in the first month is therefore misleading.
The effect is not permanent; after an average of 4-6 months the muscle begins to return to its previous activity. In people who renew at regular intervals, muscle bulk is reported to stay under control for longer. Duration varies with muscle structure, the intensity of clenching and dose.
What Is Not Promised
Masseter Botox does not remove the cause of clenching; it does not address underlying factors such as stress, sleep patterns or dental occlusion. It reduces the muscle’s strength, it does not end the habit. For that reason dental assessment and a night guard are often recommended alongside.
It does not change jaw width that comes from bone structure, does not gather lax skin, and does not replace treatment for a diagnosed jaw joint disorder. No particular amount of slimming, complete resolution of symptoms or fixed duration is guaranteed.
Key Benefits
- Reduced tension
- V-line face contour
- Comfortable life
“Two separate expectations are met with the same injection here: relief and contour. Their timelines differ — one arrives in weeks, the other in months. If you do not say that at the start, the patient thinks there is no result in the first month.”
— Dr. Sinan Akyürek
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my clenching stop completely?
The treatment reduces the muscle’s strength; it does not remove the cause of the habit. A reduction in symptoms is expected but complete resolution is not guaranteed, and dental assessment with a night guard is often advised alongside.
When will my face look slimmer?
The reduction in muscle bulk is gradual and usually becomes clear over 2-3 months. What is felt in the first weeks is the reduction in clenching force.
Will chewing become difficult?
Dose is calculated to preserve normal chewing function. Some reduction in force may be felt with very hard foods in the first weeks; everyday eating is not affected.
How long does it last?
On average 4-6 months, varying between individuals with muscle structure, intensity of clenching and dose.
Will my smile change?
Treatment is placed within the marked safe zone, with attention to the borders so the product does not spread to the muscles of smiling. A change in smile is not expected with planned treatment.
What should I avoid on the first day?
For the first 24 hours avoid chewing gum, avoid hard foods and do not massage the jaw area.
Can it be combined with a night guard?
Yes, they are often planned together. Botox reduces the muscle’s strength while the guard protects the teeth; each does a different job.
Who is it not suitable for?
It is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, in neuromuscular disease, with active infection at the site, or with known allergy to the toxin. Where a jaw joint disorder is diagnosed, that is assessed first.