Effectiveness of Masseter Botulinum Toxin Injection on Bruxism Severity, Pain, and Sleep Quality: A Prospective Clinical Study

Background: Bruxism is a complex condition characterized by excessive activity of the masticatory muscles, often associated with pain, sleep disturbances, and reduced quality of life. Botulinum toxin injections into the masseter muscle have emerged as a promising treatment option. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of masseter botulinum toxin injections on bruxism severity, pain intensity, and sleep quality over a 6-month follow-up period. Methods: This prospective study involved 80 patients diagnosed with bruxism. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant improvements were observed in all outcome measures. BDI scores decreased from 20.8±4.3 at baseline to 4.3±1.5 at 1 month ( P <0.001), with a partial rebound at 6 months. PSQI scores showed sustained improvement from 10.0±2.3 to 2.8±1.0 at 6 months ( P <0.001). VAS scores also demonstrated significant reductions ( P =0.004). Conclusion: Masseter botulinum toxin injection provides rapid, clinically significant relief of bruxism-related symptoms with lasting benefits, particularly for sleep quality.