Masseter Botox | Op. dr. Gökhan Beyhan — Etiler/Levent, İstanbul

If you feel that when you look in the mirror your chin line looks wide or square, then most likely the reason is the masseter muscle. The same muscle can be responsible if you are teething at night, and if you wake up in the morning with jaw pain. Masseter botox is an effective treatment method that does not require surgery, which allows both to thin the facial line and to alleviate complaints caused by pinch-squeaking by injecting this casing botulinum toxin.

Why does the masseter muscle grow?

The masseter is one of the powerful muscles that performs the main work during chewing and is located in the corner of the chin. In some people, it is genetically large; in others, it grows over time. The most common causes of growth are:

• Bruxism (gnashing and gnashing of teeth) — This habit, performed unconsciously during the night or day, causes hypertrophy by constantly working the muscle
• Stress-induced jaw strain — The reflex of clenching the jaw under stress increases the volume of the muscle
• Intensive chewing habits — Repetitive movements such as chewing gum, hard foods
• Genetic predisposition — Congenital broad jaw muscle structure

Hypertrophic masseter muscle gives the lower part of the face a square, wide appearance. In women, this condition can be especially disturbing, because the oval-V line of the face is disturbed. In men, on the other hand, pain and tooth damage caused by bruxism can come to the fore beyond aesthetic concern.

What Do We Do?

Botulinum toxin is injected into the masseter muscle on both sides. The toxin reduces the contractile capacity of the muscle; when the muscle works less, it loses volume and shrinks over time. This process leads to two different consequences:

Aesthetic result: The corners of the chin become thinner, the facial line acquires a more oval and defined form. Change is gradual and natural — people around you say “your face is thin” but don't know why.

Functional result: Tightening and gnashing of teeth are noticeably reduced. Relieves symptoms of bruxism, such as jaw pain, headache and tooth sensitivity in the morning.

How is the application done?

Before the procedure, I ask you to clench your teeth, assessing the size and symmetry of the masseter muscle. I determine the injection points and dose by palpating the thickness of the muscle. It is important that both sides are symmetrical; I can apply different doses to the right and left sides as needed.

The injection is made with very thin needles. The process is approximate 5—10 minutes Lasts — the total time you will spend in the seat does not exceed 20 minutes, including the examination. No anesthesia is required; most of my patients say they do not feel the needle. After the procedure, you can return directly to your daily life.

Dosage

In masseter botox, the dose is adjusted individually according to the size of the muscle. In general:

• Mild hypertrophy: A total of 30—40 units on each side
• Moderate hypertrophy: A total of 40—60 units on each side
• Pronounced hypertrophy: A total of 60—80 units on each side

Dose adjustment is a critical issue. An overdose can lead to difficulty chewing, while an insufficient dose can lead to underperformance or asymmetry. For this reason, I usually prefer to start with a moderate dose at the first administration and then apply additional doses if necessary at the control examination 2—3 weeks later.

When Will the Results Appear?

The effects of masseter botox are felt in two stages:

First 1—2 weeks: Functional relaxation begins. Teething decreases, jaw tension is relieved, morning pains begin to pass.

4—8 weeks: Aesthetic change becomes noticeable. As the muscle gradually shrinks, the jaw line becomes thinner. The full result usually occurs in 2—3 months.

Duration of Effect and Repetition

The effect of masseter botox is average 4—6 months lasts. But unlike facial botox, regular applications in masseter therapy can produce near-permanent results. The reason for this is: the muscle atrophies a little more with each application, and over time the tendency to “return to its former state” decreases.

A typical treatment plan:

• The first year: 2—3 sessions (4—6 months apart)
• Second year: 1—2 sessions
• Subsequent years: 1 maintenance session per year if necessary

In most of my patients with regular application, after 2—3 years, the need for doses decreases markedly or completely disappears.

Is Chewing Affected?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Short answer: nodaily chewing is not affected. Apart from the masseter, the temporal muscle and medial/lateral pterygoid muscles also contribute to chewing function. Botox only reduces the excessive activity of the masseter muscle; the normal chewing function is maintained.

You may feel slight fatigue when chewing hard foods for the first few days — this is temporary and usually returns to normal within 1 week.

Who Is It Suitable For?

• People who are uncomfortable with the appearance of a square or wide chin, who want a more oval face line
• Patients diagnosed with or with symptoms of bruxism (teeth/gnashing of teeth)
• Those who complain of jaw muscle pain and tension
• Patients with symptoms related to TME (temporomandibular joint) disorder (with physician evaluation)
• Those who want face contouring without surgery

Who is it not suitable for?

• Patients during pregnancy and lactation
• Those with neuromuscular disease
• Those who have active infection at the injection site
• Patients with already weakened chewing function

Combination with Other Treatments

As well as being able to apply masseter botox alone, I also use it as part of a holistic face contouring plan:

• Jaw tip filler + Masseter botox: A pronounced V-line effect by both thinning and lengthening the jawline
• Facial botox + Masseter botox: Treatment of upper facial wrinkles and lower facial width in one session
• Liquid face lift + Masseter botox: Comprehensive, non-surgical face contouring

The Next Step

The evaluation of your masseter muscle and whether the treatment is right for you is determined by a face-to-face examination. The preliminary interview is free of charge.

For an appointment or question: WhatsApp: +90 544 469 66 88 · Phone: +90 544 642 63 98

This page is for medical informational purposes only. The exact treatment plan is determined after a doctor's examination.