How Long Does It Take Botox Injections To Work For Bruxism?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in getting Botox injections to treat my severe clenching and grinding. I have tried every dental approach from teeth adjustment to splints and none of them have really done anything. I am worried about the wear on my teeth which is starting to become noticeable. You seem to be the only doctor in Indianapolis that does these type of injections for this problem. I would like to know the average cost of one treatment and average time it relieves the forceful grinding of bruxism.

A: I have done Botox injections for bruxism (grinding, clenching) for well over a decade. In the right patient, it can be tremendously effective if administered properly. As a general guideline, most patients should have 20 units of Botox injected into each masseter muscle for a total of 40 units. This would be the minimum effective dose but a good starting point to see how effective Botox may be for the bruxism. If I inject the Botox it is $16/unit, if my nurse performs the injections then it is $10/unit. The effects of Botox take up to a week to see its effect as it works by depleting the available neurotransmitter acetylcholine, so what it stored up has to be used up before the muscle fibers stop firing.