Evaluation of quality of life in patients with bruxism and orofacial pain after treatment with botulinum toxin - randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Introduction: Botulinum toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and the clinical applications of this toxin have become common over the last 30 years with predictable results. Objective: To evaluate the improvement in the quality of life of bruxism patients with my ofascial pain after the application of botulinum toxin. Method: In this randomized, double-blind controlled clinical study, 30 female patients were selected aged between 18 and 40 years who presented bruxism with orofacial pain. The patients were classified into two groups: control and experimental groups that were not submitted or submitted to botulinum toxin application, r espectively. Later visual analog questionnaires correlating with pain, time, and quality of life were used. Results: No significant difference was observed regarding pain improvement over time and subsequent improvement in the quality of life in the control (p = 0.127) and experimental groups(p = 0.806). However, a significant difference was observed regarding improvement in the quality of life in the experimental group due to the decrease in pain over time. Conclusion: The use of botulinum toxin A in bruxism patients with or of acial pain suggests that it could be an effective method in reducing pain symptoms and subsequent improvement in the quality of life of patients with such condition.