Applications of Botulinum Toxin in Dentistry - Literature Review

The Botulinum Neurotoxins are produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum and are considered the most potent toxins known and its application has become useful and significant in the treatment of oral and maxillofacial injuries. The aim of this study was to review the literature showing the possible therapeutic uses of botulinum toxin in dentistry. There were used articles, that describe the injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) in areas related to the oral cavity and face, excluding cosmetic purposes. The results show that a toxin is a viable treatment alternative, with beneficial effects in dentistry, but in some cases should be associated with other types of treatment. Although the literature confirm the effectiveness of the BTX-A, these studies should be interpreted cautiously, and more research is needed to confirm the safety and effectiveness of this treatment in larger, well-controlled clinical studies.