What exactly does the masseter muscle do?

The masseter is a powerful muscle located on both sides of your jaw, just below the cheekbone. This muscle plays an important role in everyday movements such as chewing, speaking and clenching your teeth together.

In some people, this muscle is more developed than average. This can be congenital, but it also often develops through long-term teeth grinding or jaw clenching. When the masseter is overactive, this can lead to a wider, more square jawline. Complaints can also develop, such as tension in the jaw, headaches or fatigue of the chewing muscles.

Why is masseter botox used?

Masseter botox is used for both aesthetic and medical reasons, and often it is a combination of the two.

From an aesthetic point of view, the treatment can help if you find a wide or angular jawline bothersome. By reducing muscle activity, the volume of the muscle gradually decreases. This gives a softer facial contour and a more refined, slimmer appearance.

From a medical perspective, masseter botox is often used for complaints such as teeth grinding and jaw clenching. These habits can overload the jaw muscles, resulting in pain, tension headaches and even wear of the teeth. By temporarily relaxing the muscle, the pressure can decrease and your jaw muscles get more rest.

How does a masseter botox treatment work?

During the treatment, a small amount of botox is injected into your masseter muscle with a fine needle. This is usually done at several points in the muscle, so that the effect is spread evenly.

The treatment usually takes ten to fifteen minutes and no anaesthetic is needed. Because the injections are superficial, most people only feel a slight prick.

After the treatment, you can resume your daily activities straight away. The effect does not occur immediately, but develops gradually. After about two to four weeks, you will notice that the muscle becomes less powerful. The final result is usually visible after about six weeks.

How long does the effect remain visible?

The effect of masseter botox is temporary. On average, the result remains visible for three to six months. After that, muscle activity gradually increases again.

With repeated treatments, the muscle can decrease in size, so that the effect remains visible for longer. In some cases, less botox is needed over time to maintain the same result. This differs from person to person and depends partly on the strength of the muscle and habits such as teeth grinding.

Are there any risks or side effects?

When the treatment is carried out by an experienced doctor, masseter botox is generally considered safe. As with any injection treatment, mild side effects can occur.

You may temporarily have slight swelling, redness or a small bruise at the injection site. These usually disappear on their own within a few days.

Some people experience a temporary reduction in chewing strength, especially with hard food. In rare cases, there may be slight asymmetry in the face. This underlines the importance of careful treatment by a skilled doctor.

Who is masseter botox suitable for?

Masseter botox can be a suitable treatment if you suffer from persistent tension in the jaw, teeth grinding or jaw clenching. This treatment can also offer a solution if you feel the shape of your jawline is too wide or angular.

It is important to assess carefully beforehand where your complaints come from and whether botox is the right choice. In some cases, other treatments, such as a mouth guard or physiotherapy, may be more appropriate.