What is bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition that refers to excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching — often due to the abnormal alignment of the jaw or situational such as stress and anxiety-related issues. Grinding and clenching of the teeth result in various unpleasant side effects, including jaw discomfort, stiffness, earaches, headaches, and the impression of a collapsed smile. In addition, the excessive clenching of teeth has all been linked to masseter muscle hypertrophy and facial asymmetry in patients. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, is another condition that causes the muscles in the lower jaw to lock up, altering the way the mouth opens and closes.

What leads to teeth grinding and jaw clenching?

Four research publications related to twin studies have found that bruxism, or clenching your teeth, appears to be, in part, genetically determined. Certain medications, alcohol and caffeinated beverages, tobacco and recreational drug use, sleeping patterns, and other lifestyle choices also contribute to bruxism. In addition, some individuals might grind their teeth due to an abnormal bite, jaw misalignment, or underlying dental health problems.

How does bruxism affect your smile and face shape?

Constant grinding can eventually lead to loose teeth, crowding, and shifting, as well as enamel wear and deterioration that can manifest as flat, chipped, or broken teeth. This strain can alter the appearance of your face and produce a collapsed smile where the upper lip folds inward, revealing less of the upper teeth and more of the lower teeth. In addition, as the lips cave in and the bite collapses, the ability to smile may become more complex, affecting the natural smiling face.

Who is an ideal candidate for aesthetic bruxism treatment?

Those with a collapsed or uneven smile who want to achieve a more youthful appearance and a lifted smile are great candidates for aesthetic BOTOX injection treatment. In addition, non-surgical procedures can aid in making the lips appear less puckered and compressed, thus enhancing the smile and facial profile. People who frequently experience jaw pain due to bruxism or TMJ are also ideal candidates since BOTOX treatment can help diminish frequent headaches, ringing in the ears, and other common symptoms that result from these conditions.

How can a collapsed smile be treated?

At Essential Aesthetics, we utilize Botox to accomplish a functional and aesthetic smile makeover. BOTOX is an effective jaw-clenching treatment that paralyzes the facial muscles that cause tension along the jaw. In preventing this tension and freezing the masseter muscle, the pain and damage that often stems from bruxism can be significantly reduced. Botox also works to remove wrinkles caused by a collapsed bite. Most patients will start noticing a significant decrease in, if not complete, resolution of, their teeth-grinding symptoms within two weeks of the injection. A typical BOTOX® treatment dose for this area ranges from up to 50 units on each side — for a total treatment dose of 100. The effects of Botox typically last about six months. A few Botox injections can potentially shrink the masseter muscles, resulting in a longer-lasting outcome.

Repair and restore your smile at Essential Aesthetics!

Interested in Botox for a collapsed smile? Our Danville office is ideally located for clients from Benicia, Concord, Lafayette, Dublin, Walnut Creek, and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Call or text us at 925-855-1773 to learn more or submit your request online!