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1167 Burke Road, Kew VIC 3101

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Teeth grinding, jaw tension & face slimming in Kew, Melbourne

Masseter Treatment Melbourne

Doctor-performed masseter injections: reducing jaw clenching and grinding while slowly slimming a wide lower face. The same treatment works for two distinct concerns at once.

Reviewed by Dr Rakib Uddin AHPRA MED0001936872

Book a consultation What it costs
  • Performed by Dr Rakib and his team
  • Personalised assessment first
  • Clear advice, including when not to treat
Masseter and face-slimming treatment by Dr Rakib at Aesthetic Doctors Australia in Melbourne
Performed by Dr Rakib

What it is

What is teeth grinding & face slimming?

Masseter treatment is wrinkle relaxer injection placed into the masseter: the large chewing muscle on each side of the jaw. With activity reduced, the muscle clenches less (relieving bruxism, TMJ tension and tension headaches) and gradually shrinks (slimming the lower face).

It's two clinical effects from one treatment: a therapeutic one (symptom relief from grinding) and a cosmetic one (jaw shape refinement). Many patients want both. Some come for one and discover the other matters to them too.

  • Symptom relief

    4–6 weeks

    Clenching and grinding usually settle first, slimming follows.

  • Visible slimming

    3–6 months

    Muscle bulk reduces gradually as it under-uses.

  • Typical duration

    6–9 months

    Masseter treatment lasts longer than upper-face wrinkle relaxer.

What it treats

What does teeth grinding & face slimming treat?

Teeth grinding & face slimming is most often planned for jaw clenching, tooth grinding (bruxism), TMJ tension, wide lower-face slimming. The treatment only makes sense when it matches the cause of your concern; here is where it fits.

  • Teeth grinding & jaw tension

    Explore this concern

    Why it happens

    Chronic stress, sleep bruxism and TMJ dysfunction drive masseter overactivity, causing tooth wear, jaw pain, tension headaches and morning soreness.

    Treatment role

    Reducing the strength of the chewing muscle reduces the force of clenching: symptoms typically ease within 4–6 weeks, often before any visible muscle change.

  • Wide lower-face from masseter bulk

    Explore this concern

    Why it happens

    Long-term masseter overactivity enlarges the muscle (similar to any other muscle that's worked daily), widening the jaw at the angle and creating a square lower face.

    Treatment role

    With repeated treatment, the masseter gradually reduces in bulk: slimming the jaw and softening the lower face from the outside, without volume work.

Results

Each case is a single composite photographed at the practice: the concern that brought the patient in, the treatment performed, and the point at which the result was reviewed. Outcomes vary from person to person. This is clinical context, not a promise.

Every consented case across all treatments
Before and after composite of masseter face-slimming treatment showing a slimmer lower face on front view
This result is specific to this patient and will not necessarily reflect another person's outcome.
Concern
A wide or heavy-looking lower face from masseter muscle bulk
Treatment
Masseter treatment for face slimming
Before and after composite of masseter treatment showing softer lower-face width on front view
This result is specific to this patient and will not necessarily reflect another person's outcome.
Concern
Jaw heaviness and lower-face width linked to teeth grinding
Treatment
Masseter treatment for face slimming

Images are real patients treated by Dr Rakib Uddin and are used with consent. Individual outcomes vary depending on anatomy, medical history, technique and aftercare; results shown are not a guarantee of yours.

From the clinic

Teeth grinding & face slimming, in practice.

Selected imagery from the clinic: the same material discussed at consultation.

4 images · tap to enlarge

Imagery reflects work performed at the clinic. Individual results vary: outcomes depend on anatomy, the agreed plan and aftercare. Shown for education, not as a guarantee of result.

How it works

How does teeth grinding & face slimming work?

01 / 03

Why the masseter enlarges

Like any muscle worked daily, the masseter hypertrophies in response to chronic clenching. Many patients clench through the day or grind at night without being aware of it: the only visible sign is a gradually broader lower face. Treating the cause of the bulk works better than treating around it.

Masseter injection in progress by Dr Rakib at Aesthetic Doctors Australia Step 02

02 / 03

The two-phase response

Symptom relief comes first: clenching and grinding reduce within weeks as the muscle's contraction strength drops. Visible slimming follows over months, as a less-active muscle gradually loses bulk. Patients with the cosmetic goal should expect to think in seasons, not weeks.

Doctor-level injection planning detail at Aesthetic Doctors Australia Step 03

03 / 03

Doctor-only mapping

The masseter has multiple bundles and lies near the facial nerve and parotid duct. Wrong placement can cause asymmetric smile or 'gummy' smile temporarily, or under-treat the relevant fibres. Dr Rakib's anatomical training informs both the depth and the bundle distribution: the difference between a clean slim and a regretted experiment.

Whether it suits you

Is teeth grinding & face slimming right for you?

The two lists below are where that answer starts; it is confirmed in person, never assumed. Balanced information protects you.

May be suitable for

  • Bruxism (teeth grinding) and jaw clenching with morning tension
  • Chronic tension headaches linked to clenching
  • Visibly wide masseters wanting subtle face slimming
  • Patients combining symptom and cosmetic goals

May not be suitable for

  • TMJ dysfunction with significant joint pathology: TMJ specialist referral
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Certain neuromuscular conditions
  • Patients seeking dramatic immediate slimming. This is a months-long process

Alternatives worth discussing

The assessment

What happens at a teeth grinding & face slimming consultation?

Expertise shows in process. Before any recommendation, your consultation examines:

Book your assessment
  1. 01

    Clenching habits: daytime, nighttime, both

  2. 02

    Tooth wear, TMJ pain history, headache pattern

  3. 03

    Visible masseter bulk on clench: left/right asymmetry

  4. 04

    Whether you want slimming, symptom relief, or both

  5. 05

    Past dental work (mouth guards, splints) and what changed

What to expect

How long does teeth grinding & face slimming take to work?

The short version: symptom relief 4–6 weeks; visible slimming 3–6 months; duration 6–9 months. Stage by stage:

  1. Day 0

    Treatment day

    Quick visit; pinpoint injection sites; mild tenderness possible.

  2. Weeks 4–6

    Symptom relief

    Clenching strength reduces; bruxism, tension headaches and morning jaw soreness often improve before any visible change.

  3. Months 3–6

    Visible slimming begins

    Reduced activity slowly shrinks muscle bulk; jaw width starts softening.

  4. Months 6+

    Settled shape

    Full slimming effect visible. Repeat treatment maintains both the symptom relief and the slimmer contour.

Aesthetic medicine

In practice
“One treatment, two outcomes: symptom relief and gradual contour change.”

A consultation philosophy of restraint, anatomical precision and natural-looking outcomes: applied to teeth grinding & face slimming planning.

Aesthetic Doctors Australia
by Dr Rakib

On the day

What happens during a teeth grinding & face slimming appointment?

  1. 01

    Consultation

    Your concern, history and goals: discussed before anything else.

  2. 02

    Assessment

    Anatomy, suitability and alternatives examined properly.

  3. 03

    Planning

    A personalised plan with costs, staging and realistic outcomes.

  4. 04

    Procedure

    Performed by Dr Rakib or a clinician working to his plan, with comfort prioritised.

  5. 05

    Recovery

    Clear aftercare and direct access to the clinic with questions.

  6. 06

    Review

    Results checked against plan; refinements made where needed.

Recovery

What is recovery like after teeth grinding & face slimming?

Typical downtime: no downtime; mild tenderness for 24 hours. The specifics:

What's normal afterwards

  • Mild tenderness in the muscle for 24 hours
  • Possible small bruise at injection sites

What to avoid

  • Heavy chewing on tough foods for 24 hours
  • Rubbing the area for 24 hours
  • Strenuous exercise for 4 hours
Complete aftercare guide

Risks and limits

What are the risks of teeth grinding & face slimming?

No effective treatment is risk-free, and no treatment does everything. Knowing both sides is part of informed consent.

Possible side effects

  • Tenderness in the muscle, settling within days
  • Reduced chewing strength for tough foods (most patients don't notice)
  • Uncommonly, smile asymmetry from diffusion to nearby muscles: temporary and avoidable with correct technique
  • Mild bruising at injection sites

Limitations to understand

  • Slimming is gradual: not a same-day result
  • Can't reduce jaw bone width (only the muscle component)
  • Maintenance treatment required to hold the result
  • Won't help TMJ issues caused by joint pathology

The alternatives

Teeth grinding & face slimming compared with the alternatives

Masseter relaxation vs jawline filler

Masseter (wrinkle relaxer)

  • Reduces muscle bulk over months
  • Treats symptoms of clenching
  • Slims a wide lower face

Jawline contour

  • Adds structural projection
  • Sharpens an under-defined jaw
  • Doesn't address muscle activity

Which one Opposite tools for opposite problems. Wide jaw from muscle bulk: masseter. Soft jaw from missing structure: filler. Same patient occasionally needs both, in the right sequence.

What it costs

What does teeth grinding & face slimming cost?

You receive an itemised written quote at consultation, before committing to anything. The consultation is $75 for 45 minutes with Dr Rakib Uddin, redeemed against your treatment if you go ahead.

Dosing varies markedly between patients (men typically need significantly more). Confirmed at consultation.

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What determines your quote

  • 01 Whether masseter alone or combined with other treatments
  • 02 Muscle size and dose required
  • 03 Maintenance schedule

You commit to nothing in advance: the consultation costs nothing and the quote is written before anything is booked. If the recommendation is not to treat, that advice is the whole appointment.

Afterpay acceptedZip accepted

Afterpay and Zip are available for treatment fees at the clinic, subject to each provider's own approval and terms.

Dr Rakib Uddin, cosmetic doctor and founder of Aesthetic Doctors Australia

Your doctor

Dr Rakib Uddin

Cosmetic Doctor & Founder

  • MBBS (Qld)
  • BMedSci (Hons)
  • Dip. Surgical Anatomy
  • Fellow ACCSM

AHPRA MED0001936872

Whatever is recommended at your consultation is planned by Dr Rakib and performed by him or a clinician on his team: never by a non-medical injector.

Dr Rakib Uddin is a Melbourne-based cosmetic doctor with formal surgical-anatomy training and over a decade in medicine. He performs every consultation, treatment and review at Aesthetic Doctors Australia personally, and trains other doctors in advanced injectable technique at Derma Medical Academy.

“If a treatment isn't right for you, I'll tell you. Every plan is built around your anatomy, not a template, and the goal is always a refreshed version of you, not a new face.”
  • Listen to your concern in full
  • Comprehensive medical and aesthetic assessment
  • Step-by-step treatment plan: single session or staged
  • Full discussion of risks, limitations and alternatives
  • Decline to treat when a procedure would do more harm than good
About the practice

Expert questions

The questions worth asking about teeth grinding & face slimming.

The questions that come up in the room, answered the way Dr Rakib answers them.

Will I be able to chew normally?

Yes: the masseter is one of several chewing muscles and the dose is calibrated to reduce its strength, not eliminate it. Most patients notice nothing at meal time after the first few days, though hard foods like steak might feel slightly different the first time.

How quickly will my face look slimmer?

Realistically: not for months. Symptom relief comes within weeks; visible slimming runs from month 3 through to month 6, sometimes longer. Patients chasing a same-day jaw change should know this before booking.

Will my face look hollow or older if I shrink the muscle?

Not at the doses we use. Conservative dosing reduces muscle bulk proportionately rather than aggressively. If you have very low body fat or a naturally thin face, we'll discuss whether masseter treatment is right for you, and what dose is appropriate.

Can it really stop my grinding?

It reduces the force significantly rather than eliminating the behaviour entirely. Patients with night-time bruxism often still use a mouth guard alongside, but report dramatic reduction in morning jaw pain, tension headaches and tooth wear.

Why does it last longer than my forehead treatment?

Bigger muscle, larger dose, slower recovery of activity. Most patients get 6–9 months from masseter treatment versus 3–4 months from upper-face work. Some patients extend further on repeat sessions.

Will my jaw 'spring back' if I stop treatment?

If you keep clenching, yes: eventually. If your clenching habit has settled (often because treatment broke the pattern), the muscle may stay smaller for longer. Many patients move to less-frequent maintenance over time.

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Consultation first

Book a personalised consultation.

Discuss teeth grinding & face slimming with Dr Rakib Uddin: your anatomy, suitability, alternatives and realistic outcomes, before any decision is made.

Book a consultation Ask a question first

1167 Burke Road, Kew VIC 3101

Important treatment information

All information on this page is general in nature and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Any before-and-after images shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not guarantee individual outcomes. Treatments performed by Dr Rakib Uddin (AHPRA MED0001936872) vary based on each patient's unique anatomy, medical history and needs. All cosmetic injectable treatments carry risks; a consultation is required prior to any treatment to assess suitability, discuss risks and alternatives, and establish realistic expectations.

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