Botulinum Toxin for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

What it is about

In bruxism the teeth work against each other with many times the normal chewing force – usually at night and often unnoticed. The consequences range from worn teeth, tense jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint problems through to tension headaches in the morning. A permanently tensed masseter muscle can also gain visible volume and make the lower face look wider.

How botulinum toxin helps

Injected into the jaw muscle, botulinum toxin reduces its maximum contraction force: the grinding loses its power and both the muscles and the joint are relieved. With correct dosing, chewing and speaking remain unaffected. Many patients also report relief from tension and headaches; a pronounced masseter may become visibly narrower over the course of several months.

An occlusal splint from your dentist remains the basic treatment: it protects the teeth, but it does not stop the grinding itself. Botulinum toxin addresses the overactivity of the muscle – the two approaches complement each other well.

The procedure

After examining the jaw muscles, we inject the preparation with fine needles at a few points into both masseter muscles and, if needed, additionally into the temporalis muscle. The treatment takes about 15 minutes, no anaesthetic is required, and you can go straight back to your day. The effect sets in after one to two weeks and lasts about four to six months – after which the treatment can be repeated.

Fees

The treatment is billed as a self-pay service under the GOÄ private fee schedule; the cost of the preparation is included. As a medically indicated treatment the service is exempt from VAT. Private health insurers usually cover the treatment – it is best to clarify cover with your insurer in advance.

Frequently asked questions