Bruxism Botox in Istanbul: Treating Teeth Clenching and Facial Harmony

Bruxism Botox Istanbul: Masseter Botox, also known as bruxism (teeth clenching, teeth grinding), is a procedure applied to reduce the excessively developed and strengthened masseter muscles in the lower part of the face and to treat bruxism. It also has an aesthetic benefit as it leads to slimming of the lower part of the face.

WHAT IS BRUXISM?

Bruxism refers to the habit of teeth clenching and grinding. It is a condition primarily related to daily stress and psychological factors. Detecting it in its early stages requires attention, and in more advanced stages, there may be an enlargement of the lower part of the face, resulting in a square appearance, as well as wear on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Patients often notice teeth clenching when they wake up with headaches or earaches in the morning, or they are diagnosed with bruxism by the doctors they consult due to these complaints.

CAUSES OF BRUXISM AND MASSATER BOTOX:

Bruxism has primarily two causes, psychological and physiological. Stress is the most significant and common factor. Some medications, missing teeth, and misalignment of teeth due to not timely removal of impacted wisdom teeth can also cause bruxism.

WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF BRUXISM?

• Wear on the teeth and related sensitivity, pain, and discomfort.
• Gum recession.
• Reduction of vertical dimension, which is the distance between the upper and lower jaws, due to teeth grinding.
• Reduction of the vertical dimension leads to wrinkles and an aged appearance in the lips and cheeks.
• Irreversible damage to the jaw joint.
• Clicking sound in the jaw joint during jaw movement.
• Occurrence of morning headaches or earaches.
• Complaints related to orthodontics, such as pain in the mouth or jaw.
• Unexplained pains in the neck and face.
• Triggering of migraine headaches.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Waking up the partner with grinding noises.
• Formation of line-like wounds inside the cheeks due to clenching.
• Enlargement (hypertrophy) of the masseter muscle in the lower part of the face, leading to a square-shaped face.
• The enlarged masseter muscle exerts more force on the teeth and jaw joint, causing more damage and harm.

After a certain period, this condition, which triggers each other, must be treated.

HOW IS BRUXISM (TEETH CLENCHING, GRINDING) TREATED?

The treatment of teeth clenching habits requires patience and continuity. The condition causing teeth clenching should be identified through an examination. In patients with a psychological basis of bruxism, treatment should be planned in coordination with a psychologist. If teeth clenching is due to physical factors within the mouth, these factors should be addressed first. However, even if the causes are eliminated, teeth clenching may persist as a habitual behavior or may not be entirely possible to eliminate the cause. In such cases, night guards are made to protect the teeth, and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are administered to the hypertrophied masseter muscles.

WHAT IS THE MASSETER MUSCLE?

The masseter muscle is located in the lower part of the face and connects the fixed upper jaw with the movable lower jaw. It acts like a suspension to the lower jaw. The masseter muscle becomes active every time we open our mouth. When we talk, the masseter muscle moves our jaw; when we yawn, the masseter muscle yawns as well; when we eat, the synchronized movement of the masseter muscles on the right and left sides helps to chew and grind the food in our mouth. These are the natural functions of the masseter muscle. However, in individuals with teeth clenching habits like bruxism, the masseter muscle starts to work beyond its normal functions, meaning it works excessively and unnecessarily.

Bruxism, which is teeth clenching or grinding, can occur at night or during specific daytime periods. Throughout this teeth clenching and grinding process, our masseter muscle remains active. In other words, the masseter muscle, whose primary function is to move the lower jaw when necessary (speaking, eating, yawning), becomes active during nights and certain daytime periods. This excessive activity causes the muscle to become stronger and grow larger.

WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF MASSETER MUSCLE HYPERTROPHY?

• An excessively enlarged masseter muscle results in more forceful teeth clenching.
• Severe teeth clenching causes damage to the teeth and jaw joints.
• Tooth wear becomes obvious, appearing as if they have been cut with a knife.
• The enlargement of the masseter muscle leads to the widening of the lower part of the face, resulting in a square face appearance.
• This enlargement in the lower part of the face causes the cheekbones to disappear, altering the V-shaped appearance of the face.

HOW IS MASSETER BOTOX PERFORMED?

First, a thorough examination of the masseter muscle is conducted. The patient is asked to clench their teeth to maximize the volume and visibility of the masseter muscle. The dentist then examines the muscle both from inside the mouth and outside, using the palpation method, and determines from which points and how many injections are required. The injections can be performed from 3 or 4 points, depending on the size of the muscle. After the examination, the skin is disinfected. In sensitive patients, topical anesthetic creams can be used. Once the skin and the injection points are prepared, the injection procedure is carried out. The necessary doses are injected into the specified points.

Experience Expert Bruxism Botox Istanbul Treatment with Dt. Ozlem Ozcan

In Istanbul, Turkey you can make an appointment with Dt. Ozlem Ozcan for Bruxism Botox treatment. To schedule a consultation, simply contact her facility and make an appointment. Dt. Ozcan’s skills will ensure you receive personalised and competent care, whether you are experiencing teeth clenching or looking for face harmony through Masseter Botox. Don’t be afraid to contact her clinic and take the initial step towards better oral health and face beauty.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BRUXISM BOTOX: