Teeth grinding (bruxism)Teeth clenching or grinding is the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth, especially during the day or while sleeping. If it continues for a long time, it can lead to enlargement of the jaw muscles (masseter hypertrophy), jaw pain, headaches, tooth wear, and widening of the lower part of the face.
Botulinum toxin (Botox), when applied particularly to the masseter muscle, is an effective treatment option that reduces the excessive contractile force of the muscle.
1. How does Botox work?
It inhibits acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction in the masseter muscle.
It reduces the contractile force of the muscle.
It relieves the excessive mechanical stress caused by teeth grinding.
It can reduce jaw muscle pain and tenderness.
Masseter hypertrophy can cause thinning of the lower part of the face over time.
Important: Botox does not eliminate the central nervous system-related mechanism of teeth grinding or bruxism; it reduces muscle activity and force.
2. Application areas
Masseter muscle: Primary site of application.
Temporal muscle: This may be considered in selected patients, particularly those with significant temporal muscle activity and pain.
Medial pterygoid: This is not a routine aesthetic procedure area; it requires specialized clinical evaluation.
Botox or night guard?
In the current approach, night guards and behavioral methods are the basic conservative treatments. Botox is considered as an adjunct option in selected patients who do not respond adequately to conservative treatments.
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