Jaw clenching & tension
Tight or tired jaw muscles, morning discomfort, tension-type headaches or a sense that you are constantly holding the jaw.
Jaw tension · Bruxism · Lower-face contour
Masseter Consultation in South Kensington
A clinician-led assessment for jaw clenching, teeth grinding, bulky masseter muscles and selected lower-face contour concerns. We prioritise function, comfort and dental protection; any aesthetic change is considered secondary and kept subtle.
Function firstConsultant Plastic SurgeonsConservative planningComplimentary two-week review
In the UK, botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine. This page describes our consultation process. Any prescription treatment can only be considered after an appropriate face-to-face medical assessment confirms suitability.
20+ years
Santi medical-aesthetics experience
Consultant-led
Board-certified Consultant Plastic Surgeons
30–45 mins
Typical consultation-led appointment
2-week review
Complimentary where treatment is undertaken
Understanding the masseter muscle
The masseter is a chewing muscle, not simply a cosmetic target
In some people it becomes particularly strong or enlarged through habitual clenching, grinding, genetics or a combination of factors.
Treatment planning therefore considers chewing strength, facial proportions, dental history and why the muscle is overactive — not simply whether a slimmer jaw is desired.
Clenching, jaw shape — or both?
Teeth grinding
Night-time grinding can contribute to tooth wear, dental sensitivity and morning jaw fatigue. A dental splint or dentist review may be part of the plan.
Lower-face shape
Where genuinely bulky masseters contribute to jaw width, reducing excessive muscle activity may gradually soften the jaw angle. Bone structure still determines the overall shape.
How treatment may help
Reducing excessive muscle activity — conservatively
Where a prescription treatment is clinically appropriate, carefully placed injections can reduce excessive masseter activity. The objective is not to disable the muscle: normal chewing and speech need to be preserved.
Functional improvement may be noticed before any visible contour change. Lower-face slimming, where it occurs, develops gradually as an enlarged muscle becomes less bulky over time.
Suitability
Who may benefit — and when another pathway is better
A consultation may be useful for:
- Persistent jaw clenching or grinding
- Morning jaw ache or muscular fatigue
- Tension-type headaches associated with clenching
- Noticeably enlarged masseter muscles
- A square lower face where muscle bulk contributes
We may pause or recommend alternatives with:
- Very slim faces where hollowing is a concern
- Severe dental wear needing dental review
- Jaw-joint symptoms needing broader TMJ assessment
- Certain neuromuscular conditions
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
What to expect
1 · Assessment
We review dental history, jaw symptoms, clenching pattern, medical background and goals, and assess the masseters at rest and during contraction.
2 · Plan & treatment
If a prescription treatment is suitable and agreed, the clinician selects a conservative dose and pattern according to muscle size, symmetry and function.
3 · Review
A complimentary review is available at approximately two weeks. Functional and contour changes continue to evolve, with lower-face shape usually judged over the following 4–8 weeks.
Risks & considerations
Why conservative dosing matters
The masseter is an important functional muscle. Treating it too aggressively can alter chewing comfort and may create unwanted hollowing or imbalance in susceptible faces.
Jaw symptoms often need more than one approach
Bruxism Consultation
Dedicated pathway for grinding, clenching, dental wear and jaw-muscle symptoms.
Explore bruxism →Physiotherapy
Useful where jaw tension sits alongside neck or wider musculoskeletal problems.
Explore physiotherapy →Botox Information Hub
Consultation guidance, treatment areas and educational resources.
Visit Botox hub →Consultant Plastic Surgeons
Meet Santi’s medical aesthetics and wider clinical team.
Meet the team →Masseter consultation FAQs
Is masseter treatment only for face slimming?
No. Many clients first seek help for clenching, grinding and muscular jaw discomfort. Any contour effect is considered alongside function and dental health.
Will I still be able to chew normally?
Preserving normal chewing is central to treatment planning. Conservative dosing is used to reduce excessive activity rather than remove normal masseter function.
When would I see a slimmer jaw?
If enlarged masseter muscle is contributing to jaw width, visible softening tends to develop gradually over approximately 4–8 weeks.
How long can the effect last?
Duration varies with muscle size, activity, dose and individual response. Many people experience an effect over several months before activity gradually returns.
Do I still need a night guard?
Possibly. Injection treatment does not replace dental care or mechanically protect the teeth. Continue dentist-prescribed splints unless your dental clinician advises otherwise.
Could treatment make my face look hollow?
It can in susceptible people, particularly when the lower face is already slim or dosing is excessive. This is why facial proportions are assessed carefully.
Do you offer a review?
Yes. Where treatment is undertaken, a complimentary review is available at approximately two weeks. Visible contour response continues to evolve beyond that point.
Not sure whether your problem is clenching, grinding or jaw shape?
Start with a private consultation in South Kensington. We’ll assess the masseter muscles, jaw function, dental history and facial proportions and explain the most appropriate next step.