Dental Botox is the injection of small, precise doses of botulinum toxin into specific facial muscles by a trained dentist. It is used mainly for teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism), an overactive or enlarged masseter muscle and excessive gum display (gummy smile). Its goal is to reduce muscle overactivity, easing jaw tension and helping protect the teeth.
After assessing the muscles and medical history, the dentist marks the injection points. A very fine needle delivers the medicine into the masseter, and sometimes the temporalis, for bruxism, or into the upper-lip elevator muscles for a gummy smile. Anaesthesia is usually unnecessary; ice or a numbing cream may be used. It eases symptoms but is not a substitute for a night guard.
A session takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and normal activities usually resume immediately. The effect starts within 3 to 5 days, the full effect appears in about two weeks, and it typically lasts 3 to 6 months before treatment can be repeated.
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It can reduce jaw pain and morning headaches linked to clenching, lessen tooth wear and fractures from grinding, soften a bulky jawline caused by an enlarged masseter and reduce gum display when smiling.
Adults with diagnosed bruxism or clenching, masseter enlargement, or a gummy smile caused by an overactive upper lip. It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with certain neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis, with infection at the injection site or with an allergy to the product. A gummy smile caused by excess gum tissue or jaw position does not respond to it.
Share your medical history and all your medicines, and never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. To reduce bruising, your doctor may advise avoiding alcohol for a few days; drop aspirin-type painkillers only with your doctor's agreement. Come with clean skin and no make-up.
The dentist examines the muscles while you clench or smile, marks the points and gives a few small injections with a very fine needle. It takes minutes, and most people feel only a brief pinch.
There is no downtime. For about 24 hours avoid rubbing or massaging the area, strenuous exercise, saunas and facial treatments, and stay upright for about four hours. Mild redness or small bruises fade within a few days.
The effect begins in 3 to 5 days and is complete in about two weeks. It usually lasts 3 to 6 months; with repeated sessions some people find the effect lasts longer.
Possible effects include pain, swelling or bruising at the injection sites, headache, temporary weakness when chewing hard food and, after gummy-smile treatment, a temporarily uneven or stiff smile. Rarely, the product spreads to nearby muscles. These effects are usually temporary and wear off as the medicine fades. Trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing is rare but needs urgent medical care.
No. It reduces the strength of muscle contractions but does not fully protect the tooth surfaces or treat underlying causes such as stress or sleep problems. Your dentist may recommend wearing a night guard as well and will assess these causes.
No special stay is needed, and most people can fly the next day. A review at about two weeks helps fine-tune the result and can be arranged at a follow-up visit or remotely with photos.
Masseter injections can gradually slim the lower face over several weeks as the muscle relaxes. Doses are planned to keep chewing and facial expressions natural, so your smile still looks like your own.
