Differences in Psychological Changes after Botulinum Toxin A Administration for Bruxism with Masseter Hypertrophy

Kim, Young Im; Lee, Kyeong Jin

Abstract

This study aimed to assess changes in maximum bite force and psychological elements in patients with bruxism treated with botulinum toxin who visited the hospital with a chief complaint of masseter hypertrophy. From among the subjects with masseter hypertrophy as the chief complaint, 10 patients with and 10 without bruxism were selected. We measured bite force prior to botulinum toxin injection and at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the injection and assessed changes in psychological elements by using Symptom Checklist 90 Revision. The study results showed statistically significant differences in maximum bite force on both the right and left sides between the patients with and those without bruxism, according to periodic changes (p<0.05). Depression elements showed statistically significant changes in the patients with bruxism (p<0.05). In the bruxism and non-bruxism groups, the patients recovered from anxiety in accordance with the periodic changes (p<0.05). Our study results indicate that the patients with bruxism show significant changes in interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety according to the treatment periods, and that occlusal force and depression were significantly related. Therefore, when setting a treatment plan for bruxism, multilateral psychological elements must be considered, along with functional elements.