MEDICAL TREATMENTS
Botox/Dysport for teeth grinding and masseter hypertrophy
Botox/Dysport can be used to treat teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
This condition, called bruxism, can lead to pain, headaches, jaw problems and damaged teeth. Habitual jaw clenching and teeth grinding can also cause enlargement of the masseter muscles.
Botox/Dysport injections into the masseter muscles [chewing muscles in the cheek / jaw] can block the signals that cause these muscles to contract, relieving the grinding and clenching. The masseter muscles then tire easily and the person stops the action.
It is important to know that teeth grinding/bruxism should ideally be treated in conjunction with a dentist who will give you a bite plate to protect the teeth at night.
A single treatment lasts around 4 months. With ongoing treatments, the jaw-clenching muscles (masseter) will steadily weaken and even become smaller (atrophy), and the problem should decrease over time.