Masseter Botox in Scottsdale: Jaw Slimming and Clenching
A softer jawline and easier clenching, starting with a conservative dose and a free consultation.
Masseter Botox in Scottsdale does two jobs: it can soften a wide, square jawline, and it can make clenching feel easier. About half of my masseter clients come in for each reason, and it’s the same treatment either way. I’m Nurse Bea, an Aesthetic Registered Nurse and Licensed Aesthetician, and this is how I approach it.
Botox here is injected by me or by a certified aesthetic registered nurse who is also a Certified Laser Technician on my team, following my protocol. Our Medical Director, Abbey Jensen, MSN, FNP-C, provides medical oversight.
Schedule your free consultation — new clients hold their spot with a $50 deposit, credited to treatment or products, or refunded on request. Call (480) 405-0100 · 7054 E Cochise Road B100, Scottsdale, AZ 85253.
What is masseter Botox, and how does it work?
Botox relaxes the masseter, the big chewing muscle at the angle of your jaw, so it works less hard and slowly gets smaller. That’s why one treatment can both slim a square lower face and take some of the force out of clenching.
It’s an off-label use: Botox Cosmetic is currently not approved by the FDA for the masseter, although in 2026 the FDA accepted Allergan’s application to review it for this use. We go through what that means at your consultation.
| Jaw slimming | Clenching | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Shrinks the chewing muscle so the lower face looks softer | Relaxes the muscle so it can’t bite down as hard |
| A good fit if | Your jaw looks wide because of muscle | You clench and want it to feel easier |
| What it won’t do | Change bone or fat, or lift loose skin | Protect your teeth from grinding, or treat TMJ disorders |
Can Botox slim my jaw?
Yes, if your jaw looks wide because of muscle. Botox shrinks muscle, not bone or fat, and in studies the muscle was on average about 12% to 31% thinner three months after treatment.
At your consultation, we check whether the width is muscle before we talk about dosing. If it’s bone or fat, Botox won’t change it, and I’ll tell you so.
Does masseter Botox help with clenching and grinding?
It can make clenching feel easier for some people, because a relaxed muscle can’t bite down as hard. Mayo Clinic says Botox injections may help some people with severe bruxism who don’t get better with other treatments.
It won’t necessarily stop grinding, though: in studies, a more relaxed muscle didn’t reliably mean less grinding. If you grind at night, ask your dentist about a night guard to protect your teeth while you sleep.
Can masseter Botox treat TMJ?
We don’t treat TMJ disorders. If your jaw hurts, clicks or locks, see your dentist or doctor first; Botox isn’t an FDA-approved treatment for TMD pain.
How many units of Botox do I need for the masseter?
First-time clients start at 12 units per side, 24 in total, and we check in at two weeks. Next time, we adjust: established clients get the dose that worked for them, and some need considerably more.
Starting low is on purpose. The goal is a softer jawline, not a hollow one, and it’s easier to add a little next time than to wait months for too much to wear off.
How much does masseter Botox cost in Scottsdale?
Botox is currently $12 a unit, so a first masseter visit of 24 units is currently $288. A complimentary touch-up is included on each of your first three Botox visits, the consultation is free, and nobody here works on commission.
New clients hold their spot with a $50 deposit that goes toward treatment or products, or is refunded on request; it’s kept only for a no-show.
When will I see results, and how long does masseter Botox last?
Slimming takes weeks, not days: in one small study of a similar botulinum toxin, the lower face was measurably slimmer by 4 weeks, with the biggest change by about 12 weeks. In Allergan’s own study, results typically lasted 6 to 9 months.
In my clients, how long it lasts depends on how hard and how often they clench, and people who chew a lot of gum tend to need it sooner.
Can masseter Botox give me jowls or change my smile?
It’s rare. In one clinic’s records of more than 2,000 masseter treatments, heavier-looking jowls happened in about 0.2%, mostly in people over 40, and an uneven smile in about 0.15%.
That’s one reason I start at 12 units a side, check you at two weeks, and don’t treat faces that are already jowly or narrow.
What are the side effects of masseter Botox?
The most common is chewing that feels weaker or tires faster; in that same clinic report, it affected about 30% of treatments and recovered by about 12 weeks. Rarer effects include an uneven smile, the muscle bulging, or a dry mouth.
In my clients, the only thing I’ve seen is temporary soreness where the needle went in. Like all Botox, the label warns that the effect can spread and cause swallowing or breathing problems, which can be serious, so get medical help right away if that happens.
Who shouldn’t get masseter Botox?
I turn away or slow down anyone whose:
- Lower face is already sagging or jowly, because slimming the muscle can make jowls look heavier
- Jaw looks wide because of bone or fat rather than muscle
- Face is already thin and narrow, where slimming would look hollow
We also don’t treat during pregnancy or breastfeeding, over an infection at the injection site, or anyone allergic to botulinum toxin, and you’ll need to tell us about any nerve or muscle condition, such as myasthenia gravis, because the label calls for extra caution.
What should I do after masseter Botox?
Don’t rub or massage the area, and wait two hours before strenuous exercise. Stay upright for 2 hours afterward; there’s nothing extra to do for your jaw.
Looking for masseter Botox near you in Scottsdale?
We’re at 7054 E Cochise Road B100, Scottsdale, AZ 85253, on the Paradise Valley side of Scottsdale. We see clients from Phoenix, Arcadia, North Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Cave Creek and Tempe. Hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm and weekends 11am to 5pm, by appointment.
Thinking about Botox for your forehead, frown lines or crow’s feet too? See my guide to Botox in Scottsdale.
Schedule your free consultation or call (480) 405-0100. Not sure where to start? See how a consultation works.
More questions I get about masseter Botox
It feels like a few quick pinches on each side. The only thing I see afterward in my clients is temporary soreness at the injection points.
Tell us at your two-week check-in: a touch-up is complimentary on your first three Botox visits, and we can adjust your dose next time. If you grind at night, ask your dentist about a night guard to protect your teeth.
In my experience, clients who chew a lot of gum, or clench hard, tend to need treatment sooner. There’s no study on gum specifically, so think of it as a pattern I’ve noticed rather than a rule.
An Allergan-funded one-year study found that one or two rounds of masseter Botox didn’t harm jaw bone density, but another found bone changes after botulinum toxin in the jaw muscles, especially in women after menopause. The effects of many years of treatment are still being studied, so we talk it through if you plan to keep going long term.
Yes. It works the same way for men, and the dose depends on how big and strong the muscle is.
It’s the same product in a different muscle at a different dose. Forehead and frown-line Botox softens lines, while masseter Botox relaxes a chewing muscle; see my main Botox guide for the other areas.
Written by Beatrice Moorefield, RN, LE, LSO — aesthetic registered nurse, licensed aesthetician, skin health educator, and founder of Skin With Bea Esthetics, Scottsdale.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. The content on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use of this information is at your own risk. We are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any information provided.