The use of botox for jaw clenching has been shown to be an efficacious treatment, which can greatly relieve pain for patients. Unlike the majority of competing treatments, it offers the great advantage of directly targeting the source of the problem. If you’re looking to consider this treatment, there are dental or cosmetic clinics for botox in Bondi Junction that you might wanna check out.
How the botox for jaw clenching works
The procedure involves injecting a small amount of botox directly into the masseter muscle and, when required, into the frontalis and temporalis muscles also. The botox injection serves to weaken the muscles, which in turn has the effect of reducing jaw clenching. A related bonus is that this style of intervention can also serve to limit damage to the temporomandibular joint.
Botox injections can also be used to thin the masseter muscle. This procedure marks a purely cosmetic response to the hardened facial appearance which is a common side effect of jaw clenching. The treatment tackles the issue by helping to soften the appearance of the lower face.
Efficacy
A study which compared the pain relief delivered by botox injections and by placebo injections produced striking results. On one hand, placebo injections were found to deliver no appreciable pain relief to participants. On the other hand, meanwhile, participants who received botox injections, recorded that their pain levels were either much improved or very much improved as a result of the treatment. 
In light of the results, the researchers concluded that botox injections represent a safe and efficient means of treating jaw clenching.
A further study, which compared botox injections against conventional forms of treatment, delivered similarly positive results. On this occasion, in terms of providing pain relief, botox treatment significantly outperformed the conventional treatments. Moreover, the effect was found to be long-lasting, with botox continuing to outperform the alternatives for up to 1-year after the date of the original treatment.
Side Effects
Following the procedure, it’s common for patients to experience some initial swelling and bruising. Furthermore, if the procedure is not performed correctly, there is a risk that the risorius muscle could become temporarily paralysed. More worrying still, however, are suggestions that the repeated use of botox injections could contribute to reductions in bone density.
Conclusion
The use of botox for jaw clenching has the potential to be a game-changer. Indeed, the targeted nature of the treatment has already been shown to deliver greater levels of pain relief and to last for longer than conventional alternatives.
