THERAPEUTIC USE OF BOTULINUM TOXIN IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DYSFUNCTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a complex condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, adjacent muscles, and associated structures, resulting in a variety of symptoms, such as pain, limitation of jaw movement, and joint clicking. These symptoms have a significant impact on patients' quality of life, interfering with daily activities, eating, and sleeping. Given this complexity, effective treatment of TMD has proven challenging, raising the central question of this study: what are the impacts of the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin on temporomandibular dysfunction? The general objective was to analyze the impacts of the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin on temporomandibular dysfunction. To achieve this goal, specific objectives were defined: to investigate the efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of TMD; to analyze the mechanisms of action of botulinum toxin in reducing pain and muscle tension associated with TMD; to evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in comparison with other treatment approaches for TMD; and to discuss clinical considerations and best practices for the application of botulinum toxin in patients with TMD. The methodology used in the research consisted of a systematic search for scientific articles, reviews and meta-analyses relevant to the topic, using databases such as PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria of the studies were based on the relevance of the content, methodological quality and timeliness of the publications. The results of this review highlighted the efficacy of botulinum toxin as a therapeutic alternative for the management of TMD, evidencing its potential in reducing pain and muscle tension. In addition, important considerations for its clinical application were discussed, emphasizing that, although botulinum toxin may be a viable option in the treatment of TMD, further studies are needed to clarify its long-term efficacy and in different subgroups of patients.