Posted: June 29, 2026
Masseter Botox is a treatment that is growing in popularity for both medical and aesthetic reasons. Many people experience jaw tension, teeth grinding, or teeth clenching. Some people also have a wider jawline due to overactivity of the masseter muscles. Botox or Dysport are injectable neurotoxins that help soften or reduce muscle contractions. By using these neurotoxins to treat the masseter muscle, we can help relieve discomfort caused by muscle tightness or activity. As a result, this can create a slimmer, more balanced facial appearance.
By: Mallory
The masseter muscles are muscles that sit at the back of the jawline on both sides of the face. They connect the cheekbone to the lower jaw. These muscles are one of the strongest muscles in the body relative to their size. The masseter muscles are responsible for chewing, biting, and clenching. Some patients have much stronger or more prominent masseter muscles than others, which can be seen upon contraction and contribute to jawline shape. There are some other reasons these muscles become enlarged, which include: chronic stress and tension, teeth grinding, jaw clenching (sometimes during sleep), TMJ-related habits, and genetics.
Stress is a common cause of subconscious jaw clenching— most people clench their jaw without knowing they are doing it. This repetitive clenching or activity of the muscle can enlarge the muscle over time. Think of it like working out in the gym and lifting weights. The more you work out and lift, the bigger the muscles get or the more toned they are. This cycle of tension and muscle activity can lead to jaw pain and soreness. Some patients, as a result, also experience morning headaches from night grinding/clenching and tooth wear, or complications from the overactivity. Facial tension and a square or widened jaw appearance are also common symptoms. It is important to note that neurotoxins such as Botox or Dysport will not treat the stress or triggering factors to the masseter activity, but they can reduce the physical effects of the stress-related clenching and grinding.
Botox and Dysport are neurotoxins that temporarily relax the targeted muscle activity. The treatment includes small injections placed directly into the masseter muscles to calm activity in the back of the jaw. It usually takes up to 2 weeks for the treatment to fully kick in, but once the peak effect is reached, there will be a calming effect on muscle strength. As a result of the treatment, there is less muscle overactivity and therefore the muscle is forced to reduce its ability to clench and bulge. This gradual reduction in the muscle activity leads to a decrease in size of the muscle over time. Again, think about working out in the gym. If you stop working out, then you will lose some of the tone of the muscle. By decreasing the activity of the muscle, you will then experience a slimming effect in the lower face. In addition to the aesthetic benefits, using Botox/dysport in the masseter muscle can lead to relief in jaw discomfort, reduced teeth grinding, and fewer tension headaches.
Injecting Botox/Dysport into the masseter muscle can help alleviate discomfort and yield facial balancing benefits. As the masseter muscle relaxes from the neurotoxin injections, it becomes less prominent. In situations where a patient has more fullness to the lower face due to the bulk of the muscle, this can create facial balancing. It can also create a softer, more V-shaped facial appearance for some patients.
Prior to your injections, we always recommend consulting with one of our licensed Nurse Practitioners. During your initial assessment, your practitioner will review some of the symptoms you’re experiencing and discuss your overall goals. It is important for the Nurse Practitioner to examine your jaw movement and muscle size during this time to discuss appropriate treatment recommendations. You will also discuss your medical history and review your candidacy for the treatment prior to proceeding.
Once you are deemed an eligible candidate for treatment, you are ready for your injections! The injections are typically quite painless and feel like small pinches or pokes. The treatment is quick with minimal to no downtime. After the injections, you will be educated to follow a few post-care instructions, but can resume almost all activities the next day.
For the first few days post-treatment, you may experience mild tenderness, though most patients do not experience any discomfort. Your initial effects will start to begin within a few days, but it may take up to 2 weeks for the treatment to fully kick in. Facial contouring results often become more noticeable over several weeks and may continue to appear with subsequent treatments. Most patients experience results from each treatment for 3-6 months. Individual results vary based on dosage, metabolism, and individual factors. These treatments are temporary, so in order to maintain both functional and cosmetic benefits, consistency is key.
Masseter Botox/Dysport can address both discomfort and cosmetic concerns. Treatment can help with jaw tension, teeth grinding, facial contouring, and improved confidence. If you are ready to learn more about masseter neurotoxin treatments, schedule a consultation with one of our Nurse Practitioners at Atalo today!
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