Botox® is a nearly painless procedure that requires no recovery downtime, and the treatments are a safe, effective way to maintain a smooth, youthful-looking complexion. It’s no wonder these injections are one of the leading plastic surgery procedures in the world! However, while Botox is best known for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, it can also reduce teeth grinding.
Occasional teeth grinding is not generally a cause for concern, but it becomes a serious issue if it occurs chronically. Chronic teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can lead to facial pain, headaches, migraines, earaches, jaw problems and damaged teeth.
However, injecting small doses of Botox into specific jaw muscles blocks the signals that trigger the jaw-clenching contractions, providing tremendous relief from grinding and clenching. At Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, we perform Botox injections with excellence and precision.
The Procedure
When an individual comes in for treatment, a small dose of Botox is injected directly into the masseter muscle (the large muscle that controls the movement of your jaw).
Once injected, the Botox will reduce the nerve pulses that trigger clenching and moving the jaw involuntarily. As a result, this significantly relaxes the muscle, reduces the wear and tear on the teeth and reduces jaw soreness, headaches, facial pain, migraines, earaches and other unpleasant problems associated with Bruxism.
While Botox does relax the masseter muscle significantly, it does not affect voluntary movements, like chewing and facial expressions.
Effectiveness of Botox for Bruxism
Although Botox injections are not a permanent cure for bruxism, they can effectively control the uncomfortable symptoms better than a nightguard for many patients. Besides, nightguards can often feel bulky and awkward, making it difficult to sleep while wearing them. Botox used for treating bruxism usually lasts for three to four months.
If you suffer from bruxism, then Botox injections are a solution. Feel free to contact us at Kalos Plastic Surgery or visit our clinic in Atlanta, GA, to learn more about using Botox for bruxism. We can schedule your Botox consultation today!
