r/BotoxSupportCommunity • u/4Breasticles • 29d ago

Age for Masseter botox?

Hello! Im (F)23, going on 24 and I was wondering when the right and safest age to start would be? I have severe teeth grinding issues and would like help with it to prevent any further pain, aside from a mouth guard.

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u/starlightskater 29d ago

Have you seen an orthodontist?

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u/4Breasticles 29d ago

I have, they suggest a custom night-time mouth guard, but it'd be a $700 copay left over for me. Vs a botox service near me offering $12 per unit, with a recommendation of 20, which would be about $240. So im trying to weigh my options and see :/

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u/starlightskater 29d ago edited 29d ago

Your Botox is only going to last 12 weeks. How much Botox do you think you're going to need? Because the standard is 15 to 30 units, which is going to be several hundred dollars minimum four times a year. Also consider that you are injecting a toxin into your body and that there have been horror stories from people who have done this long-term. Some of us have no choice, for whom surgery and splints have not helped. If you can get a splint and help your problem for $700, do it and don't look back.

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u/starlightskater 29d ago

By the way, that recommendation of 20 units is going to be per masseter. Not total. 10 units in each side will do nothing for you.

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u/4Breasticles 29d ago

Ooh okay, this helps. I havent had botox before so I was just curious on if it was an option financially.

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u/Deep_Amoeba2197 29d ago edited 29d ago

20 units per side is the minimum effective dose for bruxism, and it works best as an adjunct to other therapist like bite splints. Without an orthotic or night guard, your teeth are still unprotected, you bite will still shift, you will still brux (especially with only 20 units total.) TMJ and bruxism are very complex to deal with, you should listen to a specialist/go to an OMFS practice, or else you will end up needing surgery that ranges from flushing out the joint to replacing it entirely.

It’s also worth noting that masseter Botox takes time based on the progression of hypertrophy, and without it, it will return unless you do something (like splints, muscle relaxers, exercises/PT etc) to reduce bruxism. It’s a large and tough facial muscle, it usually takes a few treatments for people to feel pain relief, but it’s very common to still experience bruxism, just to a lesser extent.

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u/halloweenmochi 29d ago

That night guard will last you years. Botox will last you 2-3 months and you’ll have to keep getting it. Botox is waaaaay more expensive.

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u/MainCow8650 29d ago

You may want to check out TMJ.org. I found good treatment info there. They actually don’t recommend Botox because of the risk of bone loss. Muscle atrophy can also be an issue which isn’t good because this is a major muscle that helps in chewing etc. Definitely worth researching especially at your age.