Neurotoxins like Botox, Xeomin, and Daxxify have become well-known in the aesthetics space for their ability to smooth fine lines and restore a more serene, youthful appearance.
But neurotoxins don’t only have cosmetic applications. With precise masseter muscle Botox near Cincinnati, our team at Dermatology Aesthetics of Northern Kentucky can treat teeth grinding (bruxism), reduce TMJ pain, and even create a slimmer jawline.
Curious to find out more? Keep reading to learn:
- How Neurotoxins Work
- How We Use Neurotoxins to Treat TMJ
- Even More Uses for Neurotoxins
- What to Expect From Neurotoxin Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions
How Do Neurotoxins Work?
First, let’s dive into some of the science behind injectables like Botox, Xeomin, and Daxxify, so you can understand how these treatments affect facial muscles.
Botox, Xeomin, and Daxxify are all types of neurotoxins (as opposed to other aesthetic injectables, like dermal fillers). But don’t let the term “toxin” scare you. These injectables simply work by relaxing the facial muscles that bunch up and create lines when we smile, laugh, or frown.
When we inject a neurotoxin into the targeted muscles, the formula binds to the nerve endings to temporarily prevent the release of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This stops nerve impulses from reaching muscle fibers, causing the muscles to relax and stop contracting.
As the neurotoxin sets in, your facial muscles smooth out, leading to fewer lines and wrinkles.
This precise disruption of the nervous system requires knowledgeable injectors who can apply the treatment correctly and provide natural-looking results.
Cosmetic Uses of Neurotoxins
Typically, neurotoxins are used to smooth facial wrinkles like:
- Frown lines (glabellar lines)
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Bunny lines
- Lip lines
- Chin dimpling
- Neck bands
We can also use neurotoxins to create subtle yet powerful improvements by addressing muscle overactivity that contributes to a down-turned, tense, or aged appearance.
Popular treatment areas for this type of neurotoxin treatment include:
- Upper lip (lip flip)
- Chin
- Corners of the mouth
- Jawline
- Platysmal/neck bands
Using neurotoxins in these areas can improve the appearance of “sad” or heavy corners of the mouth and create a smoother transition from the face to the neck—without adding volume or filler.
We can also use versatile neurotoxins for non-cosmetic reasons, such as treating TMJ.
How Can Neurotoxins Treat TMJ?
Since neurotoxins disrupt the signals between muscles and the nervous system, we can select from a variety of formulas, including masseter muscle Botox near Cincinnati, to relax the muscles responsible for masseter tension or TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders.
The temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge, and it connects the jawbone to the skull. TMJ disorders cause pain in the jaw and the muscles that control jaw movements, or the masseter muscles.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders include:
- Clicking
- Popping
- Jaw locking
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Tooth pain
- Jaw stiffness
While the exact cause of TMJ disorders can be difficult to diagnose, factors like arthritis, grinding teeth (bruxism), jaw injury, joint issues, dental alignment, or stress can all contribute to symptoms.
Before treatment at Dermatology Aesthetics of Northern Kentucky, you must be diagnosed with TMJ by your dentist or another medical provider. If they determine that symptoms have developed from muscle overactivity rather than structural joint problems, we can apply neurotoxins to help reduce symptoms.
Using Botox, Daxxify, and Xeomin, we inject a targeted dose into the masseter muscles, relaxing them to reduce pain from clenching. These injections can alleviate headaches, jaw tension, and pain while also protecting teeth from the wear and tear of grinding.
For this treatment, we typically inject the neurotoxin into the masseter muscle. Botox near Cincinnati, however, can also be used in the temporalis or frontalis muscles, depending on symptoms, to address TMJ disorders.
Since the masseter is much thicker and stronger than other facial expression muscles, TMJ treatment requires a higher number of units and precise, deeper injections.
Even More Uses for Neurotoxins
We can also use neurotoxins for other non-cosmetic reasons, like treating hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
Neurotoxins are an FDA-approved treatment for hyperhidrosis—they temporarily block the nerve signals that stimulate sweat glands.
We often use neurotoxins to treat hyperhidrosis on the underarms, hands, feet, and forehead, leading to a significant reduction in sweating without affecting the body’s ability to regulate temperature elsewhere.
What to Expect From Treatment
If you’re searching for masseter muscle Botox near Cincinnati, you might wonder what actually happens during treatment. Is it the same as getting regular Botox? How long is an appointment? When can you see results?
Let’s go through exactly what to expect from treatment with neurotoxins for TMJ disorders so you can book your appointment with confidence.
Step 1: Diagnosis
Before treatment, you need to determine the exact cause of your TMJ disorder symptoms. A dentist helps identify whether overactive muscle activity has led to your concerns. If your TMJ disorder stems from another cause, we may recommend a different treatment path than masseter muscle Botox near Cincinnati.
Step 2: Consultation
Next, you meet with one of our expert providers at Dermatology Aesthetics of Northern Kentucky for a consultation. During this conversation, we examine the treatment area and determine the correct amount of neurotoxin to address your concerns. From there, we can move forward with treatment.
Step 3: Treatment
An appointment for masseter neurotoxins goes quickly, typically lasting only 15 to 30 minutes total. During treatment, you lie back as the skilled injector uses a fine needle to place the neurotoxin in the correct muscles. Most patients describe it as a slightly uncomfortable pinch, but not painful—plus, it’s over before you know it.
Step 4: Recovery
Immediately after treatment, you can return to most normal activities. Avoid heavy exercise or massaging the treatment area for the first 24 hours, as this helps keep the product in the right location as it sets in.
You may experience some soreness and minor swelling at the injection site, but these symptoms typically resolve on their own in a few days.
Step 5: Results
Results from masseter muscle Botox near Cincinnati don’t appear right away. The neurotoxin has to settle into place, and full results don’t develop for 2 weeks. Once the muscles have fully relaxed, you can enjoy less tension, pain, and grinding for months.
Step 6: Maintenance
After treatment, results can last 3 to 4 months. With regular, quick maintenance appointments, you can extend your results indefinitely. During your consultation, your provider gives you an expected timeline for the longevity of your results and when to return for your next appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Neurotoxins for the Masseter Muscle
Still have a few questions about treatment? Find out even more about neurotoxins for masseter muscles below. You can also book a consultation with our team to get your questions answered by a cosmetic dermatologist and have your jaw area assessed to see if you’re a match for treatment.
Can masseter muscle Botox give me a slimmer jawline?
Yes, we can use masseter Botox for facial slimming. By relaxing the muscles around the jaw, neurotoxins soften the contours for a more tapered or “v-shaped” appearance.
Even if you do not have a TMJ disorder, we can still apply neurotoxins to the masseter muscles to refine the appearance of a strong, wide, or boxy jawline.
Who is a good candidate for masseter muscle neurotoxins?
Patients who have good health and realistic expectations are generally good candidates for masseter muscle Botox near Cincinnati.
If you have a TMJ disorder, it is important to get diagnosed and determine if muscle overactivity contributes to your discomfort before treatment. Otherwise, treatment may not address the underlying cause of your symptoms. A dentist or another doctor can typically help make that diagnosis.
Once you know neurotoxins would help, you can schedule your appointment with us.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, at Dermatology Aesthetics of Northern Kentucky, we offer financing options like CareCredit to help our patients get the care they need.
CareCredit is a health and wellness credit card that offers flexible payment plans.
Get Relief from TMJ Disorder With Neurotoxin Treatment
If you experience pain, popping, grating, or tension in your jaw—you don’t have to keep living with it. At Dermatology Aesthetics of Northern Kentucky, our masterful injectors have the skill and experience to provide treatment that soothes overtight muscles for relief.
To get started, request an appointment with us online or call us at our office to speak to a team member.
Searching for a different treatment or not quite sure what you need yet? You can also try out our treatment planner to explore other aesthetic and wellness options.
