Masseter Botox in Knoxville

The masseter is the strong chewing muscle at the back of your jaw. When it is large, your lower face looks wide and square. When you clench or grind your teeth, this muscle does the work. Masseter Botox relaxes the muscle. Over a few weeks the muscle gets smaller, so your jawline looks slimmer, and clenching and grinding often ease. Sarah Hitchcox, RN, BSN, gives this treatment for both reasons at our Bearden and Farragut offices.

Jaw Slimming with Botox

A square or wide jaw is often muscle, not fat or bone. Botox in the masseter softens the angle of the jaw and gives your lower face a more tapered, V-shaped look, without surgery. The change is slow and natural. Most people see a difference at four to eight weeks and the full result at about three months.

Botox for Teeth Clenching and Grinding

Clenching and grinding can make your jaw sore, cause tension headaches and wear down your teeth. Botox weakens the strongest contractions of the masseter, so you clench with less force. You can still talk, chew and smile normally. Many people feel relief in one to two weeks. Botox does not replace a night guard or care from your dentist, and many patients use both.

What to Expect at Your Visit

At your free consultation, Sarah checks your jaw muscle and talks with you about your goals. The treatment takes about 15 minutes, with a few small injections on each side. You can go back to work right away. Results usually last four to six months.

Pair It with Other Treatments

Many patients combine masseter Botox with jawline filler for a sharper jaw angle, chin filler for better balance, or Kybella for fat under the chin. You can also treat forehead lines or frown lines in the same visit.

Before and after photos: patients in Allergan's phase 3 masseter trial, treated with 72 units of Botox and photographed at day 90. From Sun et al., Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2026, used under CC BY 4.0. Backgrounds removed.

Masseter Botox Questions

Is masseter Botox FDA-approved?

Botox is FDA-approved for forehead lines, frown lines, crow's feet and neck bands. Botox in the masseter is an off-label use, and it is common. In August 2026, the FDA started to review Allergan's request to approve Botox for the masseter.

When will I see results?

Clenching and grinding often ease in one to two weeks. Slimming takes longer, because the muscle gets smaller slowly. Most people see a change at four to eight weeks and the full result at about three months.

How long does masseter Botox last?

Usually four to six months. When you repeat the treatment, the muscle can stay smaller for longer.

How much does masseter Botox cost?

Botox starts at $13 per unit. The masseter is a strong muscle, so it needs more units than an area like the forehead. Sarah tells you your units and your price at your free consultation.

Will it change how I chew or smile?

You can eat, talk and smile normally. For the first few weeks, some people feel their jaw get tired sooner when they chew tough food. Mild tenderness or a small bruise where the needle goes in can also occur.

Can Botox help TMJ pain?

Many people with jaw pain from clenching feel better when the muscle relaxes. But Botox does not cure TMJ disorders, and jaw pain has many causes. If you have jaw pain, see your dentist or doctor too.