Botox® – a substance injected into the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. By now almost everyone has heard of the miracle neurotoxin that gives skin back its youth. But the benefits of botulinum toxin don’t end there.
Anti-wrinkle injections are being used to treat a growing number of skin conditions and ailments. The latest in line: Bruxism and Jaw Reshaping.
Bruxism, or grinding teeth, often happens subconsciously or whilst sleeping, and is therefore difficult to stop. It is often linked to stress and can lead to headaches, facial pain, disrupted sleep and increased teeth sensitivity. Mouthguards are typically given as a preventative measure; however, they are not always practical and make an undesirable addition to the accessory collection. Botox injections administered to the masseter muscle cause the jaw to relax and the associated clamping to soften. An improvement in bruxism is observed in most cases.
Wide or prominent jaws can be considered unfeminine. Larger jaws are sometimes caused by hypertrophy of the masseter muscle – an enlargement due to the increased size of particular cells. If the masseter muscle of the jaw is injected with Botox, the muscle relaxes, and over the subsequent 8 weeks, decreases in size. The width of the lower face is reshaped, giving a heart-shaped jawline.
During your initial consultation, we will talk through your options for treatment. Small, localised injections made by a fine needle will be administered by a trained and experienced physician at the clinic.
Bruising, swelling or redness may occur at the site of the injection. Botulinum toxin blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles, so when having treatment for bruxism or jaw reshaping patients may experience some difficulty when chewing, swallowing or articulating.
Anti-wrinkle injections are minimally invasive. Treatments can take as little as 15 minutes and most patients do not require any downtime. They can resume their daily activities straight away.
For fine lines and wrinkles: Results can be noticeable within the first 2 weeks post-treatment and can last anything between 3-6 months. A 2 week follow up appointment is included in the treatment.
For bruxism and jaw reshaping: The masseter muscle begins to soften within the first week, after the procedure. A reduction in the jaw can be seen between 6 and 8 weeks. This remains observable for 6–12 months. After 3 treatments, permanent changes have been reported in some cases.
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