A clinical evaluation of botulinum toxin-A injections in the temporomandibular disorder treatment

BACKGROUND: This study clinically evaluated the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in the temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment using Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). METHODS: A total of 21 TMD patients were recruited to be treated with BTX-A injections on the bilateral masseter and temporalis muscles and were followed up by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon highly experienced in the TMD treatment. For each patient, diagnostic data gathering were conducted according to the RDC/TMD. Characteristic pain intensity, disability points, chronic pain grade, depression index, and grade of nonspecific physical symptoms were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that more than half of the participants (85.7 %) had parafunctional oral habits such as bruxism or clenching. In comparison between pre- and post-treatment results, graded pain score, characteristic pain intensity, disability points, chronic pain grade, and grade of nonspecific physical symptoms showed statistically significant differences after the BTX-A injection therapy (p < 0.05). Most patients experienced collective decrease in clinical manifestations of TMD including pain relief and improved masticatory functions after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of our study, BTX-A injections in masticatory musculatures of TMD patients could be considered as a useful option for controlling complex TMD and helping its associated symptoms.