Your dentist or doctor thinks unclench may help.
Here's what that means, in plain language.
Why you got this handout
Your dentist, physical therapist, or doctor noticed signs that you might be holding a lot of tension in your jaw — clenching, grinding, morning headaches, tight cheeks, or wear on your teeth. They thought a specialty practice that focuses only on this problem might help.
That's us. unclench dental. Run by a California dentist, Dr. Jennifer Nguyen, in Redondo Beach. We come to your home or office.
What's actually happening in your jaw
Two big muscles close your jaw: the masseter (along your cheek) and the temporalis (along the side of your head, above your ear). They're supposed to contract briefly to chew, then rest.
For a lot of people — especially anyone juggling stress, screens, deadlines, or a noisy mind at night — these muscles never really rest. They stay slightly contracted all day, and they grind through the night while you sleep. By morning, they ache. By afternoon, your face is tight. Over years, your teeth wear down, your nightguard breaks, and your headaches stop responding to ibuprofen.
What we do about it
We use very small amounts of therapeutic botulinum toxin (yes, the same medicine you've heard of as Botox — different muscles, different goal) to gently quiet those overworking muscles so they can finally rest. The dose is conservative. Chewing still works. The result, when it works, is:
- Less morning soreness within 2–3 weeks
- Fewer tension headaches
- Quieter nights — your partner notices first
- A jaw that actually relaxes during the day
Effects last about three to four months and wear off naturally. Some patients respond strongly, some partially, some not at all — and we tell you honestly what we see at the consultation.
What happens next
- You inquire. Visit unclenchdental.com and submit the form. We respond within two business days.
- Virtual consultation. A 45-minute video call. We review your symptoms, history, and decide together whether treatment is right for you. Many consultations end here — and that's okay.
- In-person visit, if we proceed. About 60 minutes. We come to your home, office, or a hotel suite. No driving across town.
- Follow-up. A check-in at two weeks, a full reassessment at twelve weeks. Ongoing access by text.
A few honest things
- This isn't cosmetic. The goal is relief. A softer jawline can happen as a side effect — that's fine, but it's not why we treat.
- Insurance won't cover it. We're cash-pay. Pricing is transparent at the consultation; no surprise fees.
- Keep seeing your regular dentist. We don't replace your dental care. We focus on one thing only — and we send you back to your dentist for everything else.
- Some patients don't benefit. If we don't think this will help you, we'll tell you and we'll refer you somewhere it might.
If this sounds like you
Start with the inquiry form. It's short, takes about three minutes, and we read every one personally.
This handout is general information only and not medical advice. Therapeutic botulinum toxin for jaw clenching, bruxism, and tension headaches is considered off-label by the FDA. Suitability for treatment is determined only after a clinical consultation. Individual results vary.