Evaluation of the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Type (A) Injection in Treating Temporomandibular Disorders through Targeted Muscle Intervention

Abstract

Background: There are numerous therapeutic options available for the treatment of temporomandibular problems that cause persistent orofacial pain and muscular discomfort. When conservative treatment for myofascial TMD fails to provide full recovery, patients may find that botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is a preferable substitute. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) into the masseter and temporalis muscles in the treatment of myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and to compare the results with those of a control group that received conservative therapy.

Material &Methods: The Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Surgery Center, Shar Teaching Hospital, in Sulaimani, Iraq, conducted a case-control research from August 2024 to June 2025. Using convenient sampling, 40 patients with myogenous temporomandibular disorder (TMD) who met the diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) were randomly assigned to one of two equal groups, one of which received intramuscular BTX-A injections and the other conservative treatment. Baseline, two weeks, six weeks, and four months were used to assess the pain score (VAS).

Results: Both groups showed intra-group improvement, but the BTX-A group demonstrated significantly greater pain reduction at all-time points (p<0.05)

Conclusions: BTX-A injections provide superior pain relief in myofascial TMD compared to conservative treatment.