Botox for Bruxism and Square Jaw in Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Since its first cosmetic usage by oral and maxillofacial surgeon Jan Carruthers in 1982, botulinum toxin has been utilized for the reduction of muscle mass and smoothing of the skin. It is already utilized in dentistry (oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine), plastic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, general surgery, and orthopedic surgery in Korea. Botox is used for different purposes in various medical fields.

Potential for Botox in the Maxillofacial Area

Most frequently, glabellar lines, crow’s feet, grin lines, deep parallel forehead lines, and a square jaw are treated with injections of botulinum toxin. It is used to cure bruxism, soften the skin and rectify scars, treat keloids, alleviate tension headaches in patients with temporomandibular joint disease, and lessen the maximum bite force required for early loading of an instantaneous implant.

The dose is determined by the treated area

The total dose injected into each region is subject to variation across practitioners. When injecting, it’s important to keep in mind that factors including toxin dispersion, dose, needle direction, and bleeding can cause complications. It lessens the possibility of blepharoptosis, drooping lips, and facial muscle paralysis brought on by diffusion at important nerve-serving locations.

Potential local side effects include discomfort, short-term hyperesthesia, paresthesia, edema, erythema, and ecchymosis at the injection site. Don’t worry too much about it, though, since you can avoid all of these issues by using the correct injection technique, carefully administering the solution, applying cold to the affected area, and gently massaging the area (avoid rubbing). To reduce bruising, refrain from consuming aspirin or aspirin-containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) for 4–7 days prior to injection. Moreover, medications that impede neuromuscular activity or belong to the aminoglycoside class of antibiotics may intensify the effects of botulinum toxin.

Injections of botulinum toxin for bruxism treatment

Bruxism refers to the parafunctional behavior of clenching or grinding teeth, which can happen during the day or at night.

Botulinum toxin’s effectiveness in treating bruxism falls into one of three categories:

1. Botulinum toxin injections are used to alleviate crow’s feet and frown lines around the eyes and forehead because of the muscle-relaxing effect of the toxin, which manifests itself as flaccid paralysis of the affected muscles.
2. Muscle recession is caused by botulinum toxin, which paralyzes muscles, such as those used to treat the masticatory muscle or the calf muscle. This reduces muscle mass.
3. By making good use of how botulinum toxin paralyzes and relaxes muscles, a pharmacological method is used to reduce trigger points in muscle fibers and reduce pain-causing chemicals in muscle cells, such as substance P and serotonin. 

How botulinum toxin works to cure bruxism

Botulinum toxin is able to paralyze muscles because it acts on the neuromuscular junction and prevents acetylcholine from being released from nerve terminals. By using this, you can lessen the amount of force you apply when biting by as much as 20–30% in the masticatory muscle. If its broad pharmacological activity is used correctly in dentistry, botulinum toxin is likely to perform several roles. 

Several patients who suffer from bruxism as a result of occlusal disharmony have found relief after undergoing occlusal adjustments. Reducing the stress on the masticatory muscles was found to be effective in treating bruxism; however, botulinum toxin is emerging as a new treatment option.

Botulinum toxin injection for square jaw treatment

The use of botulinum toxin is becoming more popular, and its method is evolving in a variety of ways. At the moment, square jaw reduction is the procedure that oral maxillofacial surgery is most interested in. While the idea and process of square jaw reduction are not as complicated as the usual anti-wrinkle treatment, it is true that the doctors who are doing the procedure keep expanding. Botulinum toxin for square jaw reduction is a useful adjunct to surgical correction.

Typically, there are three major methods of treatment: botulinum toxin alone, botulinum toxin and square jaw reduction, and square jaw reduction alone. Sonography, skull PA, and panorama imaging determine the treatment plan. A square jaw reduction (mandibular angle contouring surgery) in combination with botulinum toxin treatment compensates 60% of the total treatment, while botulinum treatment alone compensates 30%.

Dentox is a course designed to train medical personnel in safe and effective Botox injection techniques. Visit https://dentox.com/live-courses/ if you’re looking for in-person training, or browse https://dentox.com/all-courses/botox-training/ for online choices.