Usa da toxina botulínica no tratamento do bruxismo: relato de caso

Abstract

Bruxism is known as the sudden habit of clenching or grinding the teeth and/or jerking the jaw involuntarily, and its etiology is still much debated. This pathology can lead to tooth wear, prosthesis degradation, temporomandibular joint pain and muscle pain. The treatments used to curb this habit also generate discussion. Some examples are oral devices, drug therapy, psychological counseling and the use of botulinum toxin. The latter has been the subject of studies due to its low number of complications, easy application and positive results. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the use of botulinum toxin in dentistry for the treatment of bruxism, by monitoring two patients before and after application to the masseter and temporal muscles. The study showed positive results regarding the use of botulinum toxin as a treatment for bruxism, leading to a reduction in the associated symptoms in both patients. However, the reduction in grinding episodes was not observed for all participants. The application of botulinum toxin showed significant improvements in this study, and further studies are needed to prove its efficacy.