Botox-type Injectables
When jaw tension won’t ease up, small changes can make a difference.
Clenching. Grinding. A constant ache behind your cheekbones or just below your ears. You stretch, you rest, you try not to notice—but some days it’s hard to ignore.
Botox-type injectables are one way dental professionals can help. In specific cases, they’re used to soften overworked facial muscles and give the jaw a break from habits it doesn’t even mean to have.
Tension isn’t always something you can stretch away.
For some people, jaw and facial tightness comes from long-term patterns. You might clench during sleep. Or tense up while focused. Over time, that pressure builds—and your teeth, jaw joints, and muscles all take on the strain.
Botox-type injectables aren’t a cure-all. But when used carefully, they can reduce the muscle activity that causes pain, stiffness, or uneven wear.
You might be a candidate if:
• You grind or clench frequently—especially at night
• Your jaw feels sore in the morning or after talking
• TMJ treatments haven’t done enough on their own
• You have muscle-related pain that hasn’t improved with rest or appliances
It’s not cosmetic. And it’s never rushed. Your provider will explain what’s appropriate — and what’s not.
No big setup. Just a careful, targeted approach.
The appointment isn’t long. But your provider will take their time with the exam and discussion. They’ll review your health history, explain how the medication works, and answer questions before anything begins.
If the treatment moves ahead:
• You’ll sit comfortably while the provider locates the target areas
• A fine needle delivers small amounts of medication into specific muscles
• The appointment usually takes under 30 minutes
• You can return to work or home immediately afterward
• Effects build slowly—many people feel relief within a week
There’s no downtime, but your dentist may recommend avoiding strenuous activity right after the appointment.
Your Botox-type Injectables questions, answered.
If clenching is part of your daily life, it doesn’t have to stay that way.
There’s no pressure to act quickly. But if your jaw feels like it’s always working—even when you’re not—this might be something worth discussing.