Comparison of the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin, Local Anesthesia, and Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Patients With...

Masticatory myofascial trigger points (TrP) are one of the major causes of nondental pain in the orofacial region. Intramuscular injections are considered the first-line treatment for myofascial TrPs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of local anesthesia (LA), botulinum toxin (BTX), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for the treatment of myofascial TrPs in the masseter muscle.

In this retrospective study, the sample was composed of patients with myofascial TrPs in masseter muscle who were treated between 2016 and 2019. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to treatment methods: group I (LA injection), group II (BTX injection), and group III (PRP injection). Primary outcome variable was the average pain level at rest and while chewing, and pressure pain intensity (PPI), Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) value, and quality-of-life (measured using Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14)) were secondary outcomes. The outcome variables were assessed at diagnosis, and 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.

The study consisted of 82 patients (group I, 27; group II, 26; group III, 29). At 1 and 3 months, improvement in all parameters was recorded in all groups. Groups I and II showed superior improvement in all parameters compared with group III at 3 months. Improvements in VAS pain, JFLS, and OHIP-14 values were significantly better in group II than group I at 3 months (P = .009; P = .004; P = .002). At 6 months, significant improvement in VAS pain, JFLS, and OHIP-14 (P = .008; P < .001; P < .01) values was recorded only in group II.

All procedures successfully improved the symptoms of TrPs in the masseter muscle at 1 and 3 months. However, BTX injection seemed superior at the 3-month follow-up and remained effective up to 6 months.