Home — Botulinum treatment

Botulinum treatment

Botulinum treatment for the jaw muscles and face, by a specialist in occlusal physiology. I treat every patient myself, in Helsinki and Turku — in fluent English.

WhoDr. Ville Kemilä, specialist in prosthodontics and occlusal physiology
WhereOral Kamppi, Helsinki · Oral Hammaspiste, Turku
DurationA short visit; the effect begins within days and usually lasts 4–6 months
Follow-upA check at around two weeks — often a WhatsApp photo is enough, no need to come in

Jaw muscles: grinding, TMJ disorders and tension

Occlusal physiology is my specialty. Botulinum treatment relaxes overactive chewing muscles when grinding or clenching (bruxism), TMJ disorders or muscle tension are loading the teeth, jaw joints and head. Treated areas include the masseter, the temporalis and, where needed, the neck and shoulder area.

Botulinum treatment does not replace an occlusal splint or bite treatment — it complements them. That is why I always assess first what is causing the symptoms and which combination suits you. Enlarged masseter muscles can also widen the lower face; relaxing them slims the jawline.

Headache and migraine

Botulinum treatment is also used to prevent recurrent tension headache and chronic migraine where muscle tension is part of the problem. Where needed, injections are given to the temples, forehead, back of the head and neck and shoulder area as well as the jaw muscles. You can come with or without a referral.

If your headaches have not been examined before, they are assessed first, because not all headaches are muscular. Suitability is always assessed individually in person.

Facial aesthetics

On the face I treat forehead lines, frown lines between the brows, crow's feet, a gummy smile, upper-lip shaping (lip flip) and lower-face slimming. The aim is a natural, rested look — never a frozen one.

As a dentist I know the muscles and anatomy of the face and mouth in detail, and aesthetic planning is part of my daily prosthodontic work. In Finland a licensed dentist is regarded as equivalent to a physician for botulinum treatments.

Prices

Facial aesthetic botulinum treatments from €305 (one area), including the medication and clinic fee. Each additional area costs less. The price of jaw-muscle and headache treatment depends on the areas treated, and you will know it before treatment.

How treatment proceeds

1Assessment: your goals, symptoms, health and medications. Treatment can often be done in the same visit.
2Injections with a very fine needle — quick, and anaesthesia is usually not needed
3The effect begins in 2–5 days and is complete in about two weeks
4A check at around 2 weeks, often by WhatsApp photo. The effect usually lasts 4–6 months.

Aftercare

Stay upright for about four hours and do not rub or press the treated area. Avoid exercise, sauna, massage and facial treatments for two days. Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment. Slight redness or a small bruise at the injection sites fades within a few days.

When treatment is not given

Botulinum treatment is not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and usually not to people with neuromuscular disorders. Certain medications and infection at the injection site also rule it out. Your health is always reviewed before treatment.

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Frequently asked

Questions

Botulinum treatment is used to prevent chronic migraine and recurrent tension headache. Injections are given where needed to the temples, forehead, back of the head, neck and shoulder area and the jaw muscles. If your headaches have not been examined before, they are assessed first. Suitability is always assessed in person.
Facial aesthetic botulinum treatments start from €305 (one area), including the medication and clinic fee. The price of jaw-muscle and headache treatment depends on the areas treated, and you will know it before treatment.
Yes — botulinum treatment is often simply called Botox, which is the trade name of one botulinum toxin product. I use products with a Finnish marketing authorisation, sourced from a Finnish pharmacy, and treat patients in both Helsinki and Turku.
Botulinum toxin is a prescription medicine that temporarily relaxes the muscle it is injected into. On the face it softens expression lines; in the jaw muscles it reduces the force of grinding and clenching.
It reduces the force of the chewing muscles and can therefore ease the load and muscle pain caused by grinding and clenching. It complements an occlusal splint and bite treatment rather than replacing them. Suitability is always assessed in person.
The effect begins in 2–5 days, is complete in about two weeks and usually lasts 4–6 months.
The injections use a very fine needle and most people describe a brief pinch. Anaesthesia is usually not needed.
Often, yes. Sometimes it is better to start with an assessment and treat separately — it depends on your situation and goals.
There is a check at around two weeks. If all is well, a WhatsApp photo is usually enough and you do not need to come in.
Stay upright for about four hours, do not rub the treated area, and avoid exercise, sauna and massage for two days.
Yes. Under Finnish authority guidance a licensed dentist is regarded as equivalent to a physician for botulinum treatments. Treatments are given in registered healthcare premises, at Oral clinics in Helsinki and Turku.
Oral Kamppi, Urho Kekkosen katu 3 B, Helsinki, and Oral Hammaspiste, Puutarhakatu 12, Turku.
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