Botulinum toxin to help bruxism and muscle pains?
Pain in masseter muscles is a common condition. Prolonged pain can become chronic and interfere with the patient’s everyday life.
Bite splints, medicines, physiotherapy and acupuncture are used to treat problems in the masseter muscles. Sometimes laser treatment of soft tissues is needed, but even this doesn’t always help. In this case, botulinum injections, more commonly known as Botox, could help.
Olli Norppa, a clinical dentistry specialist in prosthetics and physiology of occlusion working at the Tullinsuu clinic, says that Botox can be effectively used for acute pain conditions breaking a potentially developing cycle of prolonged pain.
‘Botulinum injections prevent muscle spasms in the masseter muscles for approximately 2–6 months. Neurotoxin blocks the passage of nerve impulses to the muscle and also acts on inflammatory mediators, eliminating pain. When done properly, the treatment is very effective. By relaxing the face, the muscle tensions no longer dominate the patient’s everyday life.’
Muscle Botox treatments are usually given in series of 1–3 visits, followed by a six-month break. Botox injections in the masseter muscles are safe and generally well tolerated.
Botox can also be used to treat atypical facial pain to rule out causes related to biting.
The treatment is not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women. The treatment is also not suitable for patients with serious muscle diseases. The lower age limit for the treatment is 16.
How to proceed?
Olli Norppa performs botulinum injection treatments at the Tullinsuu clinic in Tampere.
Book a consultation visit to discuss the botulinum toxin treatment and its suitability for you: www.tullinsuu.com or 03 3124 6600.