How are bruxism (teeth grinding) treatments performed?
A bruxism treatment takes just 5 minutes or so to perform. Most patients will begin to notice the effects 5 - 10 days after the procedure.
Patients must refrain from alcohol on the day of treatment and are also asked not to wear any make up on the skin areas treated.
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Pre-treatment:
- Patients must refrain from alcohol on the day of treatment and are also asked not to wear any make up on the areas treated (jaw line)
- You will be given a medical history questionnaire and a consent form to complete before your treatment.
Click here for information about patients not suitable for botulinum toxin treatments
- Your face and bite will be then examined. This involves clenching the teeth to demonstrate the biting musculature. A bespoke treatment can then be designed according to your individual needs. The muscles involved in chewing will vary in their severity of hypertrophy (size).
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Treatment:
- The skin around the jaw will be cleaned with an alcohol wipe
- The treatment involves tiny injections of Botox with a very fine needle into specific areas of the jaw muscles. There is only minor discomfort and patients have likened this feeling to the sensation of plucking a hair out. No anaesthetic is needed for this.
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Post-treatment
- After your treatment, you may relax for 5 minutes if you prefer. The areas treated initially may look red and this is completely normal. The effect is caused by the injection and the small amounts of botulinum toxin injected into the muscle.
- Some very tiny areas of bleeding from the sites may also occur. These are easily stopped with pressure and cleaned with cotton wool. You will be helped with this.
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After care instructions:
- There are a few simple rules that MUST be followed after a bruxism treatment to gain the maximum cosmetic effects whilst also helping to avoid the few potential side effects:
1. DO NOT massage, rub vigorously or wash the areas until the next day after your treatment. This also includes not applying make up to the treated areas.
2. DO NOT drink alcohol until the next day.
3. DO NOT participate in sports, exercise or vigorous activity until the next day after your treatment.
4. DO NOT bend over or lie down for at least 4 hours after treatment
These rules are designed to prevent Botox moving to areas of the face that are not desirable to be treated. Failure to follow these SIGNIFICANTLY increases the chances of drooping of the corner/s of the mouth. This is a fully reversible side effect and are almost exclusively caused by patients not following the above rules.
A helpful reminder card with these rules listed will be given to you, so there is no need to worry about forgetting them.
