Botox
The masseter is the strongest muscle in the body for its size, and in people who clench it never fully switches off. Jaw ache, morning headaches, worn teeth. Relaxing the muscle directly is one way to interrupt that.
What is Botox?
Botox is a purified botulinum toxin that temporarily reduces the ability of a muscle to contract. In oral and maxillofacial surgery it is used mainly on the muscles of the jaw, where overactivity causes real problems: clenching through the night, grinding that wears down enamel, tension headaches, and soreness that never quite resolves.
Injected into the masseter, it lowers the force the muscle can generate without taking away normal chewing. For many people that is enough to break the cycle, and over time the muscle itself becomes less bulky. The effect is temporary, lasting roughly three to four months, and it treats the symptom rather than the cause. Where the underlying problem is skeletal, jaw surgery is the more lasting answer, and Dr. Wu will say so if that is your situation.
Botox is also used cosmetically, to soften expression lines.
Dr. Brendan Wu holds degrees in both dentistry and medicine and trained through a six-year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency, which is a working knowledge of facial anatomy built on the surgical side rather than the aesthetic one. Available at both the Portland and Hood River offices.
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01
Consultation
Dr. Wu examines the jaw muscles, asks about your symptoms, and looks at what else could be driving them. Clenching has causes, and Botox is not always the right first move.
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02
Mapping the injection sites
Where and how deep the injections go is what determines whether you get relief while keeping normal function. It is planned around your anatomy rather than a standard grid.
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03
Treatment
A fine needle, a few minutes, no anesthetic needed and no recovery time. Most people describe it as a series of small pinches and go back to their day straight after.
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04
Results and follow-up
The effect builds over about two weeks. We check in after that to see how the muscle has responded and whether the placement needs adjusting next time.
FAQ's
Are there any side effects?
1
Most people have no more than mild swelling, bruising, or a headache in the first day or two. These typically resolve on their own.
Is this covered by insurance?
2
Botox for jaw clenching and grinding is generally considered an off-label use, so insurance usually doesn't cover it. Our team can tell you what to expect for cost at your consultation.
How many units will I need?
3
It depends on the size and strength of your masseter muscle, so Dr. Wu determines the right amount during your consultation rather than using a standard dose for everyone.
Advanced Training in Dentistry and Medicine
Dr. Wu earned his dental degree from Harvard, his medical degree from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and a master's degree in immunology from Harvard Medical School. His extensive training in both dentistry and medicine provides a comprehensive foundation for implant surgery, bone grafting, anesthesia, and the management of complex surgical cases.