Abstract

Background and Objective: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are among the common causes of head and neck pain; this is also associated with articular crepitus, muscle spasm and movement limitation. Various treatment methods like pharmaceutical therapy, occlusal adjustment, splint therapy and eventually surgery have been used for these patients each having their own advantages and disadvantages. New methods are sought for fast, conservative and complication-free treatment where other treatment modalities fail. At present, use of Botulinum toxin as a new treatment method is under investigation. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted on 25 patients including 12 females and 13 males suffering from unilateral or bilateral TMJ pain and clicking. These patients had previously received 3 months of anterior repositioning splint therapy with no success. All patients were informed about the treatment with Botulinum toxin and filled out the consent form before initiation of treatment. The study was approved by our ethics committee. Botulinum toxin A was injected into the masseter and temporalis muscles. Volume of injection was 25 units for the temporalis and 50 units for the masseter muscle 5-8 mm deep at three points (anterior, middle and posterior in the temporalis muscle and posterior deep, anterior superficial and inferior in the masseter muscle). Results: Findings demonstrated that pain scores after 2 weeks and 8 weeks of follow up were decreased it but they did not show a significant reduction (P value=0.1). Minimal changes were detected in terms of clicking (P value=0.1) as well. Conclusion: In general, this study showed that injection of BTX-A into masseter and temporalis muscles was minimally effective for improvement of clicking and pain. © 2012 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.