Bruxism – also known as teeth grinding – results in jaw pain and perpetual headaches. The grinding also wears down tooth enamel which causes sensitivity and can even result in chipped teeth. Common traditional treatments typically involve physically stopping the grinding to avoid dental damage with nightguards, but these are often cumbersome to use. With neuromodulator injections, the muscle becomes weak, which stops the jaw from clenching and grinding the teeth. The muscle relaxes to prevent damage without the need for a mouthguard!

A side effect of bruxism is that since the muscle is being used constantly, the muscle enlarges. The clenching and grinding overworks the muscle and results in a bulging or square jaw line that is not your natural jaw contour. Neuromodulators, i.e. Botox and Nucieva, dramatically reduce the contractions of the masseter muscle in the jaw. Eventually, the muscles atrophy and shrink from less use and your jaw will return to its original contour. Your teeth are preserved and your facial symmetry will improve since your profile will be softer.

Traditional treatments like mouthguards stop chronic grinding, but they have proven inadequate as treatment against the pain associated with it. Most patients report that neuromodulators control the symptoms of clenching and grinding better than a nightguard.

Following the first procedure, you will begin to see some improvement in a few weeks. You will need maintenance treatments every 4-6 months to keep up the results.

The procedure involves 4-5 injections per side. The neuromodulators are injected directly into the masseter muscle. This muscle connects your jaw to your cheekbone. You can feel it along the side and angle of your jaw when you clench your teeth. The needles used are very small and the injections are quick; you will feel very minimal discomfort. Many patients don’t even feel the needle.

Over half of the population grinds their teeth significantly and has a problematic clenched jaw. Bruxism affects men, women, and all ages equally.

Patients who suffer from bruxism and whose dentist has told them that their teeth are being damaged and patients with jaw pain and headaches are potentially good candidates for this treatment.

Neuromodulators like Botox and Nucieva are injected into the masseter muscle for bruxism treatment. This muscle is the one you can feel along the side and angle of your jaw when your teeth are clenched. It controls chewing and raising the jaw and connects your jaw to the cheekbone.

Common treatments like mouthguards have not proven effective against the pain and masseter hypertrophy that results from chronic teeth grinding and clenching. Botulinum toxin is a safe and effective alternative to alleviate clenching and grinding with minimal downtime and side effects. The vast majority of patients do not experience any side effects.

Side effects of these injections can be flu-like symptoms, nausea, and headaches that manifest right away after the treatment. However, this is extremely rare. You may feel some pain in your face and muscle weakness. These effects fade with continued use.

Common alternative procedures that you may hear about from your dentist include an overnight mouthguard. This will prevent your teeth from getting physically damaged, but it won’t stop your muscle from trying to clench and your teeth from grinding. Therefore, any pain will persist.

There are some lifestyle changes and home remedies that may help your nighttime bruxism. Firstly, stress reduction may help your muscles relax. Try taking warm baths, exercising, or listening to music. Second, you can avoid any substances that stimulate you, such as caffeine, in the evening. Practice proper sleeping habits. Finally, scheduling regular dental exams can help.