Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Bruxism: Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29166/od.v28iEsp.9530Keywords:
Bruxism, Botulinum Toxin Type A, Oral HealthAbstract
Introduction: Bruxism is a dysfunction of the stomatognathic system characterized by tooth clenching or grinding, associated with factors such as stress, neurological disorders, and the use of psychotropic drugs. It may occur during wakefulness or sleep, causing orofacial pain, tooth wear, and temporomandibular disorders. In cases in which conventional treatments are ineffective, botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) has been used as a therapeutic alternative. Objective: To analyze the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of bruxism, considering its clinical benefits, mechanism of action, duration of effect, and adverse effects. Materials and methods: A systematic review of articles published between 2020 and 2025 in PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar was conducted. Clinical studies in Spanish and English with direct application to the treatment of bruxism using BoNT-A were included. Of 126 articles, 30 met the inclusion criteria. Results: The reviewed studies show that BoNT-A inhibits the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, reducing contraction of the masticatory muscles and associated pain. The therapeutic effect lasts an average of 3 to 6 months, with mild and transient adverse effects. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin type A, derived from Clostridium botulinum, represents a safe and effective therapeutic option for the management of refractory bruxism, although standardized studies and long-term follow-up are still required to validate its widespread clinical application.
Downloads
References
1. Alvarado Ordóñez G. Uso de toxina botulínica como alternativa de tratamiento en dolor neuropático trigeminal postraumático. Rev Fac Odontol Univ Cuenca. 2023;1(2):46-50. doi:10.18537/fouc.v01.n02.a04
2. Anandan C, Jankovic J. Botulinum toxin in movement disorders: an update. Toxins (Basel). 2021;13(1):42. doi:10.3390/toxins13010042
3. Ayoub N. Botulinum toxin therapy: a comprehensive review on clinical and pharmacological insights. J Clin Med. 2025;14(6):2021. doi:10.3390/jcm14062021
4. Balanta-Melo J, Dallaserra M, Verdugo F, Martin C, Villanueva J. Botulinum toxins for sleep bruxism. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024;2024(4):CD015010. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD015010
5. Bouloux GF. Botulinum toxin (Botox). Front Oral Maxillofac Med. 2022;4:4. doi:10.21037/fomm-20-42
6. Buzatu R, Luca MM, Castiglione L, Sinescu C. Efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in the management of temporomandibular symptoms associated with sleep bruxism: a systematic review. Dent J (Basel). 2024;12(6):156. doi:10.3390/dj12060156
7. Carnaúba de Araújo AF, Barros Dorvillé GS, da Silva Guerra Sales NM, Barros de Sá Freitas NB, Soares Cota AL. Bruxismo en la infancia: ¿cómo tratar? Rev Odontopediatr Latinoam. 2021;11(1). doi:10.47990/alop.v11i1.206
8. Carruthers J, Carruthers A. Botulinum toxin. In: Botulinum Toxin: Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series. Elsevier; 2017. p. 1-201. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-47659-1.00039-4
9. Chuquimez-Ventura CV, Alfaro-Escalante WR. Tratamiento con férula dental en bruxismo inducido por anticonvulsivo: reporte de caso. Rev Cient Odontol (Lima). 2020;8(1):e012. doi:10.21142/2523-2754-0801-2020-012
10. Corsalini M, Inchingolo F, Dipalma G, Wegierska AE, Charitos IA, Potenza MA, et al. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) and their biological, pharmacological, and toxicological issues: a scoping review. Appl Sci. 2021;11(19):8849. doi:10.3390/app11198849
11. Cruse B, Dharmadasa T, White E, Hollis C, Evans A, Sharmin S, et al. Efficacy of botulinum toxin type A in the targeted treatment of sleep bruxism: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. BMJ Neurol Open. 2022;4(2):e000328. doi:10.1136/bmjno-2022-000328
12. Ferrillo M, Sommadossi E, Raciti L, Calafiore D, Mezian K, Tarantino V, et al. The role of botulinum toxin for masseter muscle hypertrophy: a comprehensive review. Toxins (Basel). 2025;17(2):91. doi:10.3390/toxins17020091
13. García-Córdova JE. Evaluación de la aplicabilidad de la armonización orofacial en la odontología moderna: revisión bibliográfica. Rev Fac Odontol Univ Cuenca. 2024;2(1):25-31. doi:10.18537/fouc.v02.n01.a03
14. Goldstein G, DeSantis L, Goodacre C. Bruxism: best evidence consensus statement. J Prosthodont. 2021;30(S1):91-101. doi:10.1111/jopr.13308
15. Kassir M, Gupta M, Galadari H, Kroumpouzos G, Katsambas A, Lotti T, et al. Complications of botulinum toxin and fillers: a narrative review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(3):570-573. doi:10.1111/jocd.13266
16. Kroumpouzos G, Kassir M, Gupta M, Patil A, Goldust M. Complications of botulinum toxin A: an update review. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2021;20(6):1585-1590. doi:10.1111/jocd.14160
17. Llinás-Ariza AR, Castillo-Pedraza MC, Wilches-Visbal JH. Asociación entre ansiedad, depresión y desgaste dental en escolares de una ciudad colombiana. Odontología. 2024;26(1):34-37. doi:10.29166/odontologia.vol26.n1.2024-e5375
18. Malcangi G, Patano A, Pezzolla C, Riccaldo L, Mancini A, Di Pede C, et al. Bruxism and botulinum injection: challenges and insights. J Clin Med. 2023;12(14):4586. doi:10.3390/jcm12144586
19. Manfredini D, Ahlberg J, Lobbezoo F. Bruxism definition: past, present, and future - what should a prosthodontist know? J Prosthet Dent. 2022;128(5):905-912. doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2021.01.026
20. Marcos-Navarro AB, Romero-de Ávila M, Tarraga-Marcos L, Madrona-Marcos F, Tarraga-López PJ. Valoración del tratamiento del bruxismo mediante toxina botulínica. JONNPR. 2022;7(1):4-17. doi:10.19230/jonnpr.4064
21. Matusz K, Maciejewska-Szaniec Z, Gredes T, Pobudek-Radzikowska M, Glapiński M, Górna N, et al. Common therapeutic approaches in sleep and awake bruxism - an overview. Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2022;56(6):455-463. doi:10.5603/PJNNS.a2022.0073
22. Nasevilla-Blanco AV, Anchali-Lomas LN, Vallejo-Izquierdo LA, Collantes-Acuña JE. Función y parafunción de la articulación temporomandibular (ATM). Polo del Conocimiento. 2024;9(8):41-66. doi:10.23857/pc.v9i8.7680
23. Nestor MS, Arnold D, Fischer DL. The mechanisms of action and use of botulinum neurotoxin type A in aesthetics: key clinical postulates II. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2020;19(11):2785-2804. doi:10.1111/jocd.13702
24. Padilla-Correa F, Lemache-Casa L, Luna-Chonata D, García-Merino I, Molina-Jaramillo C. Trastornos temporomandibulares según el nivel de estrés entre estudiantes de odontología de una universidad ecuatoriana. Odontología. 2025;27(1):31-37. doi:10.29166/odontologia.vol27.n1.2025-e7584
25. Paredes-Vinueza VD, Vallejo-Izquierdo LA, García AK. Tratamiento no farmacológico para el bruxismo. Revisión bibliográfica. Polo del Conocimiento. 2022;7(11):965-979. doi:10.23857/pc.v7i11.4900
26. Park SY, Yun Y, Park C, Yun K. Integration of an intraoral scan and a conventional impression for fabricating complete dentures for a patient with flabby tissues. J Prosthet Dent. 2024;132(2):289-293. doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2022.11.024
27. Saini RS, Almoyad MAA, Binduhayyim RIH, Quadri SA, Gurumurthy V, Bavabeedu SS, et al. The effectiveness of botulinum toxin for temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2024;19(3):e0300157. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0300157
28. Sigcho-Romero CR, Vallejo-Andrade J, Cedeño-Zambrano DA, Sánchez-Sánchez RJ. Enfoque interdisciplinario en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del bruxismo en individuos con dentición permanente. Polo del Conocimiento. 2022;7(12):69-86. doi:10.23857/pc.v7i12.4982
29. Vavrina J, Vavrina J. Bruxismus: Einteilung, Diagnostik und Behandlung. Praxis (Bern 1994). 2020;109(12):973-978. doi:10.1024/1661-8157/a003517
30. Zea-Cueva JN, Vallejo-Izquierdo LA. El bruxismo nocturno relacionado con los factores psicoemocionales con énfasis en la ansiedad. Revisión bibliográfica. Polo del Conocimiento. 2024;9(5):894-906. doi:10.23857/pc.v9i5.7167
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Daniela Estefanía Caisatoa Nacimba, Carlos Francisco Molina Gallegos
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
