Relaxing the Masseter Muscle using Dysport
What is the Masseter Muscle?
The masseter muscle is a facial muscle that connects your lower jaw to your cheek. It is one of several muscles responsible for chewing. When this muscle is overused, it becomes enlarged just like any muscle in your body. This “hypertrophy” often happens due to grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw. Many people do this under stress, or even while sleeping.
What are the symptoms of Masseter overuse?
An enlarged masseter can dramatically change the shape of your lower face, causing an oval face to appear more square or cause facial asymmetry.
More importantly, masseter overuse can cause damage to the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) as well as symptoms such as pain in the jaw or face, headaches, tooth damage, and ear pain.
How can Dysport help with Masseter overuse & hypertrophy?
Dysport injections help relax the masseter muscle by limiting the strength of the muscle contraction. The muscle will still work properly for chewing, moving your jaw, and making normal facial expressions but will not be able to exert excessive pressure. Therefore, the muscle will shrink in size, giving you a more contoured jawline and preventing further damage to your teeth and TMJ.
What are the benefits of treating the Masseter muscle with Dysport?
- Contouring of the jawline giving you a slimmer, more V-shaped face.
- Reduction in dangerous teeth grinding
- Can help alleviate tooth sensitivity, headache, tooth damage, ear pain, and jaw pain.
- Prevention of further damage to the temporomandibular joint
- Can help alleviate jaw locking; jaw, face, and ear pain; and headaches.
What is the procedure like?
Masseter treatment with Dysport is a simple procedure in which 2-4 injections of Dysport are strategically placed within the strongest portion of the Masseter muscle on both sides of the face near the jawline. This is usually accomplished using 4-6 small injections. This can be quickly done and is very tolerable. There is no downtime and results can be seen within the first 2-4 weeks and last approximately 4-6 months.
If you suffer from jaw pain, headaches, or teeth grinding or would like a slimmer, more contoured facial shape, this simple effective treatment might be for you!
Call Timarron Aesthetic Center for a free consultation with Dr. Lori King to find out more!