USE OF BOTULINUM TOXIN IN CASES OF BRUXISM: AN UPDATED REVIEW

Abstract

Bruxism is characterized by grinding and/or excessive clenching of the teeth, being an involuntary or unconscious disorder, caused by dysfunction of the masticatory muscles. This condition can occur during sleep or wakefulness, with 90% of the general population reporting bruxism to some degree of bruxism during some period of life. This work is justified by the need to know the pathology early so that the consequences are minimal. Thus, the aim of this study was to review the effectiveness of botulinum toxin application as a treatment for bruxism. This work is not a systematic review. For the bibliographic survey, the Google Scholar and Virtual Health Library databases were used, through the keywords botox, bruxism and botulinum toxin, selecting the articles published between 1961 and 2018. The selected data prove that most cases are caused by anxiety and stress. Recent studies point to botulinum toxin as one of the possible treatments for bruxism. This substance does not cure the disorder, but it does lessen the damage caused by it.