초록
Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A), a potent neurotoxin that reversibly blocks presynaptic acetylcholine release, has been applied successfully to treat facial spastic conditions such as blepharospasm, strabismus and cervical dystonia. Since the first reported application in dentistry in 1994, BTX-A has been used with great success to used in the orofacial region to help treat masticatory and facial muscle spasm, severe bruxism, facial tics, and hypertrophy of the masticatory muscles. The clinician may be aware of the many courses becoming available and aimed at dentists to start using it in the cosmetic context. This article intends to provide a basic understanding of the many functional uses of the drug in the orofacial region that may be relevant to everyday practice, especially in orthodontic field.
