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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Year : 2023 | Volume
: 31
| Issue : 1 | Page : 22-28
The evaluation of the relationship between changes in masseter muscle thickness and tooth clenching habits of bruxism patients treated with botulinum toxin A
Deniz Erdil1, Nilsun Bagis1, Hakan Eren2, Melike Camgoz3, Kaan Orhan4
1 Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
2 Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey
3 Faculty of Dentistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
4 Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Melike Camgoz
Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry, Ogretim Uyeleri (VIP) Klinigi Biskek Cd 1. Sk No.4, Emek/Cankaya, Ankara
Turkey
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jmu.jmu_51_22
Background: Bruxism is defined as recurrent masticatory muscle activity. Although there is not an agreed treatment method for bruxism, the application of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) has become a reliable lately. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the changes in masseter muscle thickness and clenching habits in bruxism patients treated with BT-A. Methods: Twenty-five patients, 23 females and 2 males, diagnosed with possible sleep bruxism were included in the study. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index was applied to the patients to determine their clenching habits and depression levels both before the treatment, and 6 months after it. The masseter muscle thickness was measured using ultrasonography before the treatment and 3 months and 6 months after the treatment. All the patients were injected with a total of 50 U of BT-A, 25 U to each masseter. Results: A statistically significant decrease in masseter muscle thickness was observed in the ultrasonography 3 and 6 months after the BT-A treatment. There was a statistically significant decrease in the Fonseca scores, in which the teeth clenching habits of the patients were evaluated 6 months after the treatment. Although there was a decrease in the depression levels of the patients 6 months after the treatment, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: When the results of this study were evaluated, it was seen that the BT-A injections are an effective, safe, and side effect-free method in the treatment of bruxism and masseter hypertrophy.
Keywords: Botulinum toxin A, bruxism, depression, masseter hypertrophy, ultrasonography
Bruxism is defined as recurrent masticatory muscle activity characterized by clenching, grinding, and/or pushing the mandible forward.[1] The etiology of bruxism includes psychosocial (i.e. stress and anxiety, and depression), pathophysiological, genetic, and exogenous (i.e. alcohol consumption, medication, smoking) factors.[2] This is a risk factor that may result in the damaging of the stomatognathic structures.[3] When bruxism is present, this causes tooth fracture, abrasion, mobility, complications of dentures, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), pain in masticatory muscles, fatigue, and hypertrophy of masseter muscle.[4],[5],[6],[7] Two different forms of bruxism are awake bruxism and sleep bruxism, which have different etiologies. Awake bruxism may be the result of anxiety or psychosocial disorders.[8] There are a series of studies discussing the relationship between bruxism and personality, psychosocial factors, and anxiety in the literature.[9] Gungormus and Erciyas stated that anxiety and depression are higher in people with bruxism in their study evaluating the relationship between bruxism that occurs and symptoms of anxiety and depression.[10]
Biting force is produced mainly by masseter, temporal, and medial pterygoid muscles which are masticatory muscles responsible for closing the mandible. All three muscles work together in the closing action of the mandible, and therefore contribute to the general biting force. The masseter muscle contributes approximately 43% of the total strength of the jaw closure muscles, the temporalis muscle approximately 36%, and the medial pterygoid muscle approximately 21%.[11],[12],[13] Muscle hypertrophy as a result of long-term bruxism often occurs, and most commonly seen in masseter muscle among the masticatory muscles. Masseter hypertrophy described as an asymptomatic unilateral or bilateral volume raise of the masseter muscle. The hypertrophy is usually bilateral, but may be unilateral, depending on chewing habits.[14] As a result of this situation, facial enlargement and an angular appearance occur.[15]
Although there is not an agreed treatment method for bruxism, the application of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) has become an effective and reliable treatment method recently.[16] When botulinum toxin is injected into the masseter and temporal muscles, it decreases the masticatory muscle contraction resulting from bruxism, and thus, minimizes the symptoms.[17]
Ultrasonography is a reproducible and economical imaging modality that does not have the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation in the evaluation of muscle thickness compared to computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).[18],[19] Hence, the diagnosis of masseter hypertrophy can be confirmed with an easy, noninvasive and radiation-free method with the use of ultrasound (USG) in patients with facial asymmetry.[14] Therefore, it can also be used to measure the masseter muscle thickness in bruxism patients. Thus, the effectiveness of treatment in individuals with masseter hypertrophy can easily be followed by ultrasonography.[20],[21]
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the changes in masseter muscle thickness using linear ultrasonography and clenching habits in bruxism patients treated with BT-A.
Materials and MethodsPatient selection
Thirty-eight patients who were admitted to the Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Periodontology with teeth grinding complaints and diagnosed as during sleep (sleep bruxism) were included in the study. The diagnosis of bruxism was established according to a self-report and clinical examination. The BT-A injection delivery into the masseter muscle was planned. The termination of muscle hypertrophy and/or the treatment of related temporomandibular dysfunction was the objective of the planned BT-A injection. The study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Ankara University, Faculty of Dentistry (No: 36290600/53), and conducted according to the Helsinki Declaration. All individuals were informed about the study and written informed consent forms were collected.
Patients older than 18 years of age, patients with masseter muscle hypertrophy, patients with TMJ dysfunction resulting from muscle function, patients who were scheduled to receive intramuscular BT-A injection application for the treatment of muscle hypertrophy, and patients who signed an informed consent form were included in the study.
Patients with masseter muscle or parotid gland pathologies, patients with previous parotid gland operation, patients with benign/malignant tumors of the mandible, patients with TMJ dysfunction other than muscle function, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and patients allergic to the components of BT-A were excluded.[22]
Demographic data were collected from each patient. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index was applied to detect the bruxism level.[23] Ultrasonography was conducted to evaluate the muscle dimensions.
Acquirement and evaluation of ultrasound records
The masseter muscle thickness of the individuals included in the study was evaluated at the baseline (P0), 3 (P1) and 6 (P2) months postoperatively by the aid of an ultrasound device present at the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (Aloka Prosound α6, Hitachi Aloka Medical, Tokyo, Japan). To standardize the muscle thickness measurements, a linear probe within 5–13 MHz was placed parallel to the lower edge of the mandibular corpus and transversely 1–2 cm above on the measurement side as described by Chang et al.[24] Following this, when the patient was at rest (RST) and the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), the thickness of the masseter muscle was measured at three points (the back junction edge of the masseter and parotid gland, and the thickest part in the middle and front edge line of ramus of the mandibula in the front) by moving the probe forward and backward. The measurements were in millimeters and the mean value was calculated [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]. The thickness of the masseter muscle at rest and MVC was therefore calculated separately. According to the baseline measurements, the diagnosis of bilateral masseter hypertrophy was confirmed and treatment protocol was scheduled.
Figure 1: Right masseter muscle (MVC) mid-region USG evaluation. USG: Ultrasound, MVC: Maximum voluntary contraction
Figure 2: USG image of the right masseter muscle at RST and MVC. USG: Ultrasound, MVC: Maximum voluntary contraction, RST: Rest
Figure 3: USG image of the left masseter muscle at RST and MVC. USG: Ultrasound, MVC: Maximum voluntary contraction, RST: RestTreatment protocol
All the patients were informed about the possible side effects of the BT-A injection and written signed consent forms were collected from them. For a dose of 1.0 U/0.1 mL, 100-U frozen dried BT-A (Botox, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) was diluted with 2 cc saline and 30-gauge injectors were used for all the injections. The patients were positioned horizontally according to the Frankfurt horizontal plane. After cleaning and drying the skin, to keep the injection in the safe zone, the back, front, top, and bottom borders of the masseter muscle were established. The three points of the injection were marked [Figure 4]a. The patients were instructed to clench their teeth so that the muscles and area of injection became more visible. The injector was placed vertically to the skin and the injections were applied [Figure 4]b. All the injections were performed by the same clinician (NB). A 25 U for each masseter and a total of 50 U for each patient was applied. The patients were recalled 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the injection.
Figure 4: Three points determined for BT-A injection (a), and position of the injector over the injection points (b). BT-A: botulinum toxin AStatistical analysis
In calculating the sample size of the study, the power test for each variable was determined as a minimum of 25 individuals by taking at least 80% and a Type 1 error of 5%. The ShapiroWilk test (n < 50) was used to determine whether the measurements in the study were normally distributed and since they were distributed normally, parametric tests were applied. The descriptive statistics for the continuous variables in our study (mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum; categorical variables) were expressed as numbers and percentages. The independent t-test or one-way analysis of variance test was used to compare the measurements according to the groups. The Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between the categorical variables. The Pearson's correlation test was used to determine the relationship between the measurements. To compare the measurements, a paired t-test was conducted. The level of significance was taken to be (P) 5%, and the data were analyzed with the SPSS (IBM SPSS for Windows, ver. 25. SPSS Inc. Chicago, IL, USA) package.
ResultsThirty-eight individuals diagnosed with bruxism and due to receive BT-A into the masseter muscle were included in the study. Thirteen incompliant patients were excluded from the study because they did not attend their follow-up appointments. The study was completed with 23 female and 2 male patients, with a total of 25. The age range was between 20 and 65 with a mean value of 32.25 ± 10.01.
Patient classification according to the Fonseca Anamnestic Index
According to the Fonseca Anamnestic Index, which was conducted before the BT-A application; 6 patients had severe TMD, 11 had moderate TMD, 8 had mild TMD, and 2 did not have any TMD. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index application 6 months after the BT-A treatment revealed 3 patients with severe TMD, 11 with moderate TMD, 8 with mild TMD, and 3 patients had no TMD at all. According to the baseline index, 3 out of 6 people with severe TMD, changed from severe to moderate TMD; it was observed that 3 of 11 people with moderate TMD decreased in severity and moved into the mild TMD and non-TMD group [Figure 5].
Figure 5: Classification of patients according to Fonseca Anamnestic IndexRelationship between Fonseca Anamnestic Index and masseter muscle thickness before and after treatment
Changes in Fonseca scores and masseter muscle thickness according to treatment are shown in [Table 1]. The results showed that masseter muscle thickness at the end of the treatment procedure (P2) has been decreased which is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Fonseca score which can be considered as an indicator of tooth clenching habit has been also decreased in parallel with muscle thickness, and this decrease was also statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Table 1: Significance levels of pre- and post-treatment fonseca scores and changes in masseter muscle thickness according to paired t-test resultsComparison of masseter muscle thickness before and after treatment
Comparisons of the ultrasonography measurements recorded at rest and the MVC of the right and left masseter muscles of the patients before the treatment, 3 months after the treatment and 6 months after the treatment are shown in [Table 2] and [Figure 6].
Table 2: Significance levels of pre- and post-treatment ultrasonographic values according to paired t-test results
Figure 6: Pre- and post-treatment ultrasonographic measurements in 3 different time points which represents the change of masseter muscle in course of timeThe ultrasonography measurements performed at P0-P1 and P0-P2 time points when the left masseter muscle was at rest revealed a decrease in muscle thickness, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between the P1 and P2 times was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) [Table 2].
According to the ultrasonography measurements done at the P0-P1 and P0-P2 time points with the left masseter muscle in the state of MVC, a decrease in muscle thickness was observed, and this difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between the P1 and P2 points was not significant (P > 0.05) [Table 2].
The ultrasonography measurements performed at the P0-P1 and P0-P2 time points when the right masseter muscle was at rest revealed a decrease in muscle thickness and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between the P1 and P2 points was not significant (P > 0.05) [Table 2].
The ultrasonography measurements obtained when the right masseter muscle was in the state of MVC at P0-P1 and P0-P2 time points showed a decrease in muscle thickness, and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The difference between the P1 and P2 points was not significant (P > 0.05) [Table 2].
DiscussionThe prevalence of bruxism in society has increased as the modern lifestyle brings stress along with it.[25] It has been shown that bruxism may harm stomatognathic structures, cause hypertrophy of masticatory muscles, and myofascial pain.[26] The treatment of bruxism aims to prevent these symptoms and improve quality of life.
Cavallo et al. used the Fonseca Anamnestic Index for the diagnosis of bruxism.[27] Likewise, Nomura et al. and Nogueira Coutinho et al. used the Fonseca Anamnestic Index to diagnose both bruxism and TMJ dysfunctions.[23],[25],[26],[27],[28] The index is a measure that can provide more information in a short period, be understood easily, and the patient is not affected by the applier. Patients can easily be categorized according to the severity of bruxism and TMJ disorder. We used the easy and comprehensible Fonseca Anamnestic Index in compliance with these studies. The inclination in the scores detected 6 months after the BT-A application was also parallel with the outcomes of these studies.
In our study, both clinical (presence of masseter hypertrophy) and ultrasonographic investigations were utilized. Therefore, it was possible to diagnose preexisting bruxism, verify the diagnosis radiologically, and follow up on the efficiency of the treatment at the same time. Although our primary goal was to define bruxism, being able to evaluate the effectiveness of our treatment numerically was also important. The literature search revealed a limited number of studies indicating the efficiency of the BT-A injection and masseter muscle contraction values with an ultrasound inspection in the long term.
Despite the many studies on prevalence, etiology, effects, and the treatment of bruxism, a guide or consensus on treatment has yet to be compiled. The management of bruxism mostly includes symptomatic; reversible, and conservative methods such as implementation of intraoral apparatus and/or physiotherapy. These methods intend to prevent bruxism-related harm rather than obtaining a therapeutic effect.[29] One of the commonly used methods is the intraoral apparatus application. This application requires at least 6 months of utilization and strict compliance of the patient, whereas the botulinum toxin application does not require patient cooperation.[30] Von Lindern et al. found significant healing with the BT-A application in the symptoms of 90 patients whose myofascial pain was unresponsive to conservative treatment.[31] Yurttutan et al. compared the efficiency of occlusal splints with the BT-A application. They found that the utilization of occlusal splints does not provide additional benefits and there was more improvement in the BT-A application group.
There is not a certain and standard dosage in the BT-A injection for the bruxism treatment. Therefore, applied doses are different.[32] This is also due to the existence of different types of commercial BT-A. The doses applied to masseter muscle ranges between 8U and 100U in various studies.[33],[34],[35],[36] In the present study, a 26 U BT-A (Botox, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA) application into each masseter muscle was found to be effective. The idea of a minimal effective dose application for the treatment of pathology and adjunctive applications for persistent and necessary situations that would lengthen the patient's relief is accepted. Additional applications were not required in our study. Our radiologic inspection 3 months after the application revealed a significant reduction in muscle thickness, which was stable 6 months after treatment. Depending on the outcomes of our study, it is possible to state that a single-dose BT-A application into the masseter muscle declines bruxism effectively and this state endures for 6 months.
While an increase in muscle volume and hypertrophy are observed because of muscle hyperactivity due to bruxism; muscle atrophy develops with paralysis and muscle volume gradually decreases after BT-A applications. Since the daily contraction amount will decrease with the abandonment of the bruxism habit, the thinning of the face continues in the process.[37] The reduction in masseter hypertrophy has been determined by different methods in the literature. Moore and Wood and Von Lindern et al. evaluated the declination in the volume of masseter muscle via clinical photographs.[38],[39] Eren et al. evaluated the change in the lower face due to the thinning of the masseter muscle in patients who underwent CT-A for the treatment of masseter hypertrophy using the “face scan” method, which is a face photograph provided by cone beam CT.[40] Choe et al. used USG in evaluating masseter muscle, whereas Yu et al. investigated the change in masseter muscle volume with the help of CT.[41],[42] Some investigators used both USG and CT while evaluating the effect of BT-A on muscle volume.[43],[44] In our study, a simple, fast, and inexpensive USG method that does not contain radiation, was used to evaluate the effect of the BT-A treatment on masseter muscle hypertrophy and masseter muscle thickness.[45] CT has limited use because it has a cumulative risky biological effect and MRI is expensive and difficult to access.[43] It is known that the values obtained by USG in the evaluation of masseter muscle thickness shows a statistically significant correlation with MRI, and the reproducibility of muscle thickness measurements obtained by USG is high.[18]
Different amounts of the thinning of the masseter muscle following a BT-A application have been reported.[42],[46] In a study by To et al., ultrasound records and electromyography evaluation 3 months after the BT-A application into the masseter muscle revealed a 31% reduction in the masseter muscle volume. It was stated that 6 of the 9 masseter muscles included in the study preserved their atrophic state.[47] In another study, the masseter muscle volume was evaluated by a USG and a decrease of up to 60% was observed in the volume, and it was determined that the maximum decrease was in the 3rd month.[48] Our evaluation of ultrasound records indicated a significant thinning of the masseter muscle at rest and MVC 3 and 6 months after BT-A application compared to baseline. This complied with the literature. In addition, similar to the literature, the decrease in the 3rd month was higher in our study.
The present study has some limitations including lack of a control group with or without placebo injection and interobserver and intraobserver reliability even though the observer is experienced in ultrasound scanning of masticatory muscles. However, the aim of the study was to primarily focus on follow-up process of masseter hypertrophy treatment and its effect on changes in clenching habits. Although there is no control group, the clinical significance level of the obtained results is considered to be sufficient.
ConclusionThe BT-A application is an effective and safe method with no side effects in the treatment of masseter muscle hypertrophy due to bruxism, and for eliminating the habit. The treated patients gave positive feedback and the bruxism scores declined. The BT-A application is also effective for masseter muscle hypertrophy. The maximum reduction was observed in the 3rd month and muscle thickness remained stable from the 3rd to 6th month.
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
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