Avaliação do conhecimento dos graduandos em odontologia sobre a utilização da toxina botulínica na terapêutica e estética facial.

Abstract

The progressive growth in demand for rejuvenation and a beauty standard has disseminated the applicability of botulinum toxin in the field of aesthetic dentistry. Botulinum toxin, known as a potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, is administered through intramuscular injections to control signs of aging. However, its use goes beyond aesthetic treatment; it can be employed as an adjunct in functional treatments for temporomandibular disorders, myofascial pain, tension headaches, sialorrhea, hemifacial spasms, gummy smiles, to assist in periodontal and implant surgeries, in brachycephalic patients whose muscular strength complicates orthodontic mechanics, and other conditions affecting the maxillofacial complex. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the knowledge of dental undergraduates from the first to the last semester at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus Patos/PB, regarding botulinum toxin and its applications in this new era of orofacial harmonization in dentistry. It is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative-qualitative approach, conducted through an online questionnaire administered via the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire included extensive inquiries about botulinum toxin and its therapeutic use. This research had a sample of 209 students from all periods of the Dentistry course. The results revealed a consensus among 98.6% of the students who consider botulinum toxin an important tool for the dentist concerning its therapeutic, functional, and aesthetic applications, although the majority (66.5%) were unaware of its mechanism of action or existing serotypes (85.2%). Furthermore, 82.3% of the sample expressed agreement regarding the desire for orofacial harmonization to be included in the curriculum as a mandatory component. Therefore, the importance of expanding the teaching of orofacial harmonization in the university curriculum of dental institutions in Brazil is evident, as its widespread use requires specific knowledge and training for the dentist, contributing to a better quality of life among patients.