Relationship between Botulinum Toxin and Temporomandibular Dysfunction: a Literature Review.

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) encompasses several conditions affecting the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles, leading to orofacial pain and other symptoms. Botulinum toxin is a potential therapy for relieving pain, improving jaw function, and reducing the use of analgesics. This study aims to systematically illustrate the application of botulinum toxin in the therapeutic context of TMD. This study took the form of a literature review, in which an analysis of knowledge repositories was conducted, including Medline (U.S. National Library of Medicine), accessed via PubMed, as well as Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences), Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), and Google Scholar. The selection involved the inclusion of studies published from 2015 to 2023. The literature review identified botulinum toxin as an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for TMD patients. The manifestation of side effects, when reported, was predominantly mild and transient in nature, granting botulinum toxin the prospect of establishing itself as a promising therapeutic option in refractory cases to conventional approaches. However, it is important to emphasize the need for further studies and clinical trials to further consolidate the efficacy and safety associated with the use of botulinum toxin as a treatment for TMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]