The word bruxism comes from Greek and literally means “teeth grinding.”
It refers to a parafunctional activity of the masticatory system — meaning an activity without any functional purpose, as opposed to a dysfunction, which is a useful function that has become impaired.
The masticatory system includes the structures involved in chewing: the jaw, teeth, tongue, palate, etc.
Bruxism is characterized by involuntary jaw contractions, often occurring at night, and accompanied by teeth grinding.
The exact causes of bruxism remain debated. They may include:
- Poor jaw position at rest
- Psychosomatic factors
- Dental issues (malocclusion, wisdom teeth, etc.)
- Muscle inflammation, especially in the masseter
- Often, the person affected is unaware of the condition. It is sometimes the dentist who suspects the issue after noticing abnormal tooth wear.

Bruxism can lead to a range of complications:
- Fatigue due to disrupted sleep
- Premature wear of tooth enamel
- Pain during chewing,
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders,
- Neck tension,
- Tooth loosening.
TMJ disorders can progress chronically and may involve:
- Popping or cracking sounds during jaw movements
- Limited ability to open the mouth
- Changes in the shape of the lower face
- Tinnitus or hearing problems

Botox® acts as a muscle relaxant by blocking the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles.
Specifically, theneuromodulator It prevents the release of acetylcholine, the chemical messenger that enables muscles to contract. As a result, the targeted muscles stop contracting, leading to relaxation. This effect is reversible and typically lasts between 4 to 6 months.
In the case of bruxism, the treatment targets the muscles responsible for jaw movement, particularly the masseter. By relaxing these muscles, teeth grinding is significantly reduced — and in many cases, completely eliminated.

Injections of neuromodulator into the masseter muscles may be recommended to:
Reduce the contractions responsible for bruxism, sometimes as an alternative to an occlusal splint
Slim a jaw that has become enlarged due to muscle hypertrophy
Relieve TMJ pain caused by excessive muscle tension.
This treatment is generally very well tolerated, but it is contraindicated for individuals who are allergic to egg whites or have neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis.

A session lasts about 20 minutes. Dr. Benguira selects the injection points on the masseter muscle and determines the appropriate dose.
Using very fine needles, Botox is injected directly into the muscle in the cheek area.

The first effects appear between 5 and 10 days after the injection.
Relief from bruxism is generally optimal around day 15.
In cases where the goal is also to slim an enlarged jaw, visible results usually begin between days 21 and 30, with gradual muscle slimming in the following weeks.
Since the effects of Botox wear off after 5 to 6 months, biannual injections are generally recommended to maintain results.