A wide face, although sometimes genetic, can also be the result of overactive jaw muscles, called the masseter muscle. The masseter muscle helps us chew and bite down our jaw, but overactivity leads to teeth grinding, TMJ, and an overly prominent jawline. This square-like jawline is often undesired since it appears masculinizing. A contributor to this can be chronic jaw clenching or teeth grinding, also known as bruxism.
How does this happen?
The muscles of the lower jaw, called masseter muscles are extremely strong and become activated with chewing or anytime there is jaw clenching or teeth grinding. With time, these muscles can bulk up which leads to a squaring of the face. When Botox is injected into the masseter muscle, the muscle weakens, and therefore creates a slimmer more oval shape.
This procedure can also help those who suffer from headaches caused by stress and teeth grinding or jaw clenching. When the masseter is relaxed by injecting Botox, it reduces the overall tension in the face and results in a slimming effect.