Injections for Bruxism - teeth grinding

Bruxism is a medical term that describes the habit which involves excessive grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw.

If you grind your teeth excessively, you will notice that the masseter muscle becomes over-developed which results in the broadening of your jaw.  This habit generally gives you a squarer jawline and more masculine appearance. You may not notice it, but you may be surprised at how grinding your teeth can have such a noticeable effect on your appearance over time. Bruxism can be stress-related but once the habit has formed, it is done subconsciously, making it very difficult to stop.

Chronic teeth grinding or Bruxism can cause a series of related problems:

Facial pain

Migraine, headache, earache

Teeth wearing down and breaking

Sleep disturbance; insomnia

Over-developed jaw muscles which make the face look square or swollen and more masculine. Botulinum toxin injections can be used to stop the cause of Bruxism by relaxing the over-active jaw muscles.  This will take the pressure off the jaw, break the habit and at the same time, stop any discomfort and prevent any further damage to your teeth.

How long does injections for Bruxism last?

Treatment for Bruxism can be completed in around 10 to 15 minutes with results often visible within a few days. Results will typically last 4 to 6 months or sometimes even longer. Voluntary movements, such as chewing and facial expressions, are not affected by treatment.

Although botulinum toxin injections are not a cure for Bruxism, they can effectively control the uncomfortable symptoms associated with it.

What are the advantages of having botulinum toxin injections for Bruxism:

Reduced grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw

Reduced symptoms – headaches, earache and facial pain.

Improved sleep for both you and your partner.

Reduced tooth weakness and wearing down.

Reduced prominence of the jaw and masculine appearance as muscle size diminishes.

Quick, noticeable, long lasting result.

No recovery time – you can return to work straight after the treatment.

Bruxism treatment can be repeated after results wear off.

What are the side effects after Bruxism treatment?

Most side effects are related to the actual act of injecting the skin, rather than the botulinum toxin itself. These include: minor redness, swelling around the injection site (which vanishes within 1 to 2 hours) and minor bruising. Some patients experience headaches and there is a very small risk of infection around the entry point, which is minimised with our hygiene practices. In rare cases, injections in the jaw muscles can temporarily reduce bite strength. Full details will be discussed during your consultation.

Additional information:

Botulinum toxin lasts between 3-4 months
Results start to be visible between 2- 10 days
Complimentary review required 2 weeks following initial procedure
To maintain your results, we recommend that you repeat your treatment every two to three months as the effects wear off.

We have found that the effects tend to last longer in patients who have had several injections.

Botulinum toxin for Gummy Smile. Is this the secret to a Hollywood smile?

High Smile Line or ‘Gummy Smile’ is twice as common in women as men and can appear for a variety of reasons, including hyperactive muscles or a short upper lip. If your smile is showing over 3-4 millimetres of gum it starts to look “gummy”.

It is used to temporarily relax the hyperactive muscles in the upper lip and ultimately reduce the inhibiting ‘Gummy smile’.

If you are confident after your initial consultation you can proceed with the treatment. One of our experienced clinicians will inject a small amount of botulinum toxin into both sides of the junction of the nostril and the nose to the mouth fold. Numbing cream can be applied for additional comfort.

This is a minimally invasive treatment that offers little downtime and side effects, but can cause temporary redness, swelling and bruising. We advise to avoid touching, massaging or apply cosmetics or creams to the area for 6 hour’s post treatment to reduce the risk of swelling and infection

After treatment, within 3-4 days, the upper lip will relax and transform your smile! The full results will be visible 2 week’s post treatment. The results normally last 4-6 months but this will vary between individuals and can be easily monitored and assessed with regular reviews at the clinic.

If you want to transform your smile with no surgery or complicated procedures, then book in for your complimentary consultation now.