Botulinum Toxin Type A for Treating Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction is a common disorder causing significant pain and morbidity. Treatment options are varied and often produce inconsistent symptom reduction. We describe the use of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) for treating TMJ dysfunction. A series of BTX-A injections were placed into the bilateral masseter muscles of a patient with refractory TMJ dysfunction. A significant reduction of pain and other symptoms was achieved lasting for approximately 20 weeks; subsequent BTX-A injections continued to improve the patient’s symptoms. BTX-A injections can be effective in reducing the pain and morbidity associated with TMJ dysfunction.