Potential risks include asymmetry of the jaw, unintended muscle weakness, or difficulties chewing. More serious but rare complications might include allergic reactions or effects on other muscles, which can alter facial expressions.
Prolonged use of BOTOX for TMJ issues can cause muscle atrophy, which can alter the shape and function of the jaw. Additionally, the effectiveness of BOTOX may diminish with repeated use, requiring adjustments in dosage or injection sites.
Potential Risks of Using Botox for Jaw Slimming
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with using Botox for jaw slimming. These risks include, but are not limited to: bruising, swelling, infection, and nerve damage.
Headache and migraine were the most frequently reported adverse event and were recorded in 269 (6.3%) injection sessions, followed by local skin reactions such as bruising or hematoma at the injection site, reported in 163 (3.8%) patients, and facial neuromuscular symptoms in 141 (3.3%) injections.
While masseter Botox can also be used for purely cosmetic reasons, it may not be the best cosmetic solution for everyone. For those with significant skin laxity in the chin and jawline area, masseter Botox may not be recommended, as it can accentuate loose skin by shrinking the underlying muscle tissue.
Not everyone is a good candidate for Botox. If you are in poor general health, your skin is very thick or you have existing muscle weakness in the proposed injection site, you may not be a good candidate for Botox. Patients with sensitive skin may experience an allergic reaction at the injection site.
Getting masseter Botox might come with some side effects. You could feel pain, swelling, or even see bruises at the injection site. Occasionally, patients get headaches or start feeling like they have the flu. Very rarely, patients have a smile that looks crooked or find themselves drooling without meaning to.
Conclusion. Botulinum toxin-induced neuropathy is a rare and vision-threatening complication of BTA. In patients with recent injection of BTA who present with visual complaints, botulinum toxin-induced neuropathy should be considered.
Over-slimming: If too much Botox is injected, the jawline may appear unnaturally narrow. Sagging skin: Reducing the masseter size can, in some cases, make the skin overlying the jawline appear looser, especially in older individuals or those with less skin elasticity.
Botox, as a treatment option for jaw clenching, has some advantages. Key among them is the fact that it is a minimally invasive treatment option for TMJ disorders. Apart from this, no permanent side effects have been noted in patients who opt for this treatment.
Both Botox and Kybella are effective treatments for jaw slimming and to treat a double chin. If you want to see long lasting results, Kybella is the best option.
In animal studies, Botox injections in jaw muscles have led to major bone loss in the jaw. This is thought to be due to the muscles not being used to exert force needed for bone remodeling, but Botox may also have a direct effect on bone resorption, the process of breaking down bone tissue.
Don't rub or put pressure on the treatment area for 12 hours. Stay upright (don't lie down) for three to four hours. Avoid physical exertion for 24 hours.
The cost of Botox for TMJ (temporomandibular joint) depends on the number and size of treatments needed. Generally, for a single treatment, Botox for TMJ may cost between $500 to $700, but many factors must be considered, including the severity of symptoms and the type of injections needed.
Because the effects of Botox are temporary, crooked smile usually is as well. Your smile should go back to normal within four months of treatment. Four months is a long time to walk around with an unnatural-looking smile, though.
For cosmetic masseter reduction—where the goal is to slim and contour the jawline—most practitioners recommend approximately 20 to 30 units per side. However, when treating conditions like bruxism or TMJ-related jaw pain, the amount of Botox may be increased, sometimes ranging from 60 to 100 units per side.
Serious adverse effects after cosmetic use of botulinum toxin include dysphagia, muscle weakness, and allergic reactions [22, 23].
FDA has reported adverse events after BoNT injection affecting nervous system far from initial site of injection such as speech disorder, nystagmus, restless leg syndrome, and even coma. Central nervous system involvement included 23.5% of serious and 24.9% of non-serious events (1).
The key danger zones of botox include the areas around the eyes and mouth, specifically involving the orbicularis oculi muscle, the facial artery, and the temporal artery. Think of these zones like a “no-go zone” on a map—trespassing can lead to hazardous results.
Muscular bulging during mastication (also known as paradoxical bulging) occurs within a week after injection and is due to a superficial overcompensation of masseter muscle fibers in response to the neurotoxic weakening of the deep masseter [55].
In general, candidates with good health and realistic expectations can have masseter Botox injections. Other factors that may make a person a good candidate for masseter Botox include: Those with wide or square jawlines. People who suffer from jaw clenching or teeth grinding.