Botulinum toxin for burning mouth syndrome

Abstract

Background: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a common disorder characterized by burning pain in the oral mucosa in the absence of dental or medical causes. BMS is often associated with systemic diseases like diabetes, depression and anxiety. Some biopsy studies suggested an underlying trigeminal small fiber neuropathy. No effective pharmacological treatment is available for BMS. Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) has been used for treating neuropathic pain because of its focal analgesic effect independent of its effect on muscle tone.