Private practice for aesthetic medicine & surgery
Botulinum toxin – gently treat teeth grinding
When the jaw doesn't rest at night
Many people unconsciously grind their teeth – mostly at night, often for years. What sounds harmless to those who don't is associated with a variety of problems for those affected. The medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. It often goes undetected for a long time, even though it can cause pain in the jaw, neck, or head and lead to visible damage to the teeth.
At our private practice Schoenheits-Hand-Werk in Wallerfangen, we offer targeted treatment with botulinum toxin to relax the overactive chewing muscles and gently alleviate the symptoms – without surgery or long-term medication.
What is bruxism – and why is treatment important?
Bruxism is the unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth, primarily during sleep. It is usually caused by stress-related excessive activity of the chewing muscles, often in conjunction with stress, inner tension, or an unfavorable jaw position. If left untreated, the constant pressure on the tooth structure and the temporomandibular joint can lead to:
- Tooth abrasion (wear and tear of tooth enamel)
- Pain in jaw, cheeks, neck and shoulders
- temporomandibular joint clicking and restricted movement
- Tension headaches and dizziness
- Exhaustion and fatigue
Therapy should always be interdisciplinary: In addition to botulinum toxin treatment, a night guard (prescribed by a dentist), physiotherapy (to treat muscle tension and imbalances), relaxation therapy, and stress management strategies are recommended. Above all, it is important to prevent dental damage.
When is botulinum toxin a suitable option for teeth grinding?
Botulinum toxin treatment can be considered and is usually used as a complementary treatment:
- Bite splint and dental corrections
- Physiotherapy
- Relaxation therapy
- Stress management strategy
The clinical picture requires intensive, multidisciplinary therapy – no option should be overlooked.
Due to the constant "training" of the masseter muscle, it is usually highly hypertrophied (strong and tense). Regular botulinum toxin treatments (at 4-month intervals) are necessary to consistently break the muscle's strength and activity.
How does botulinum toxin work for teeth grinding?
Botulinum toxin is a biologically produced protein that has been used in medicine for decades, including for the treatment of muscle tension, spasms, and chronic pain. In aesthetic medicine, it is primarily known for its wrinkle-reducing effect.
In the treatment of bruxism, botulinum toxin is injected directly into the masseter muscle – one of the four chewing muscles, which accounts for approximately 50% of chewing power and is particularly stressed during teeth grinding. There, it blocks the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, thereby reducing the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscle.
As a result, the muscle relaxes. It is not paralyzed, but rather its excessive activity is regulated. Chewing motions are maintained, and excessive clenching and grinding are significantly reduced.
What is important is a realistic understanding: the goal is not a complete "cure", but a noticeable improvement in quality of life through muscle relaxation.
Botulinum toxin for bruxism
How does the treatment proceed?
In our private practice for aesthetic medicine & surgery, treatment takes place in several clear steps:
- Personal consultation: Dr. med. Gunther Oldag takes the time to thoroughly understand your symptoms and answer your questions. He examines the chewing muscles and assesses the situation individually. Possible contributing factors such as stress or joint problems are also taken into account in the assessment.
- Individual therapy planning: Together we will decide whether botulinum toxin treatment might be suitable for you.
- The injection: The treatment itself only takes a few minutes. Using a very fine needle Dr. med. Gunther Oldag injects the botulinum toxin precisely into the affected muscle area – usually both sides of the masseter muscle. If desired, the procedure can be performed with local cooling for better tolerability.
- Aftercare: You can leave the practice immediately after the treatment. We recommend refraining from sports, saunas, tanning beds, and intense sun exposure for 48 hours. Avoid strenuous chewing or massage in the treated area.
When does the effect begin – and how long does it last?
The first effects usually appear after three to five days. The maximum effect is reached after about two weeks. Muscle tension decreases significantly. Rapid relief for the patient is possible with botulinum toxin treatment; however, a longer course of treatment is often necessary and advisable to prevent permanent damage.
The effects typically last about four months, depending on individual muscle activity, metabolism, and lifestyle. Botulinum toxin treatment cannot cure bruxism – this is not possible with this measure alone. Therefore, treatments are usually required at intervals of four to six months initially.
Experience has shown that the key to successful treatment lies in the consistent combination of all available therapy options (as described above).
Treatment options with botulinum toxin for teeth grinding
- Targeted muscular relief without impairing chewing movements
- Minimally invasive and well tolerated
- Fast action and easy application
- Can be supplemented with splints, physiotherapy or stress management
- Reduction of secondary problems such as jaw joint pain or tension headaches
Which patients benefit most?
Botulinum toxin therapy is particularly suitable for:
- Patients with chronic nighttime teeth grinding
- People with pressure or tension pain in the face or jaw
- People who suffer from frequent tension headaches
- Affected individuals with muscular changes, e.g., visible enlargement of the masseter muscle
- Stressed-out people whose inner tension manifests physically
- Treatment with botulinum toxin can also be helpful for patients for whom aesthetic reasons play a role, such as an asymmetrical jaw line or a pronounced chewing muscle.
Are there any side effects?
Like any medical treatment, the use of botulinum toxin is not entirely free of potential side effects. However, these are usually mild, temporary, and rare, such as slight redness or swelling at the injection site, a brief feeling of pressure or tightness when chewing, or, in rare cases, temporary asymmetries.
Thanks to precise application by experienced doctors like Dr. Oldag , unwanted effects are very well controlled.
What can't botulinum toxin do?
Botulinum toxin is not a miracle cure and it does not replace a comprehensive diagnosis. The treatment works on the muscular level, not psychologically or orthopedically. Therefore, we collaborate with other specialists as needed, such as dental technicians, physiotherapists, or stress management coaches.
Why Schoenheits-Hand-Werk?
In our practice in Wallerfangen, we combine medical expertise with aesthetic sensitivity and clear communication. Dr. med. Gunther Oldag has many years of experience in the use of functional-aesthetic injections and understands the specific needs of the sensitive facial area.
We stand for:
- Individual consultation and transparent information
- Gentle, precise injection techniques
- Time for your questions and for your decision
- Experience with both functional and aesthetic aspects
Botulinum toxin: Your path to greater relief from bruxism
If you suffer from teeth grinding, muscle tension or stress-related discomfort in the jaw area, treatment with botulinum toxin may be a valuable option for you.
Schedule your personal consultation appointment with Schoenheits-Hand-Werk in Wallerfangen conveniently online via our website. – We look forward to seeing you!
Legal note: This page serves exclusively for general information. It does not replace medical advice. We clarify whether treatment can be an option for you in a personal conversation.
Price list aesthetic medicine
Botulinum toxin (Bocouture, Merz):
- Large zone (glabella, forehead lines, crow's feet): from € 150
- Small zone (e.g. LiPlip, lat. Eyebrowlift, etc.): from 80 €
- Grinding teeth, faces limming: from 300 €
- Rubber Smile (gum smile)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating): € 200-400 (depending on the zone)
Hyaluronic acid (Belotero, Merz) from € 250:
- Filler for marionet folds and nasolabial folds
- Lip ax
- Cheek Bones (cheek modeling)
- Jawline (lower jaw line)
- Wrinkle injection
- Sacrifice
- Full Face Approach
- Rejuvenation face and détacheté
Contact us!
Schoenheits-Hand-Werk
private practice Dr. med. Gunther Oldag
Hauptstrasse 53
66798 Wallerfangen
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Telephone: +49(0)6831/4005904
Email: info@ schoenheits-hand-werk .de
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