title: Application of Botulinum toxin type A: an arsenal in dentistry.
abstract: An extremely effective way of preventing damage to and enhancing treatment of dental hard tissues and restorations would be to ''de-programme'' the muscles responsible for excessive destructive forces and other gnathological-related diseases. The new paradigm is the intramuscular injection of Botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX) into the affected muscles. It is a natural protein produced by anaerobic bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. The toxin inhibits the release of acetylcholine (ACH), a neurotransmitter responsible for the activation of muscle contraction and glandular secretion, and its administration results in reduction of tone in the injected muscle. There are seven distinct serotypes of Botulinum toxin, viz., A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, which differ in their potency, duration of action, and cellular target sites. This paper describes the different applications of BOTOX in dentistry.
authors: Department of Prosthodontics, Rama Dental College, Kanpur, India. blrao2006@yahoo.co.in
authors: Lakshmana B
authors: LB
authors: Rao
authors: Rajashekar
authors: R
authors: Sangur
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Pradeep
mesh_terms: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A