Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41073980›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2025

Facial volume reduction and masticatory function after masseter botulinum toxin injection: a prospective study.

Napasorn Sawadsopanont, Kanin Arunakul, Chanita Tantipoj

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC oral health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Napasorn SawadsopanontDepartment of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, 6 Yothi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand.
Kanin ArunakulDepartment of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, 6 Yothi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok,, Thailand.
Chanita TantipojDepartment of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, 6 Yothi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand. chanita.tat@mahidol.ac.th.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBotulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is widely used for masseter reduction to improve lower facial contour. While its esthetic effects are well established, the potential impact on masticatory function remains unclear, particularly in healthy individuals. This study aimed to evaluate changes in facial volume, patient satisfaction, and perceived chewing function following BTX-A injection.

methodsA quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted in 24 healthy adults who received bilateral masseter injections of BTX-A (50 units total). Lower face volume was assessed using 3D stereophotogrammetry at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks post-injection. Patient satisfaction was measured using the FACE-Q™ questionnaire, and masticatory function was assessed with the Chewing Function Questionnaire (CFQ) and visual analog scale (VAS). Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for statistical analysis.

resultsSignificant reductions in lower face volume were observed at all follow-up time points (p < 0.05), with the greatest change occurring by week 12. Satisfaction scores with facial appearance and treatment outcome significantly increased. Masticatory function remained stable, with no significant changes in CFQ or VAS scores. Participants reported no perceived decline in chewing ability throughout the study period.

conclusionOur results suggest that botulinum toxin injection into the masseter muscle may reduce lower face volume and improve patient satisfaction without compromising perceived masticatory function in healthy adults. These findings provide preliminary evidence for the esthetic application of BTX-A and may contribute to future investigations into its potential roles in areas such as bruxism management and prosthodontic planning.

trial registrationTCTR20240617001. Registered on June 17th, 2024.

Indexed as

Botulinum Toxins, Type AFaceMasseter MuscleMasticationNeuromuscular AgentsAdultFemaleHumansInjections, IntramuscularMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionPhotogrammetryProspective StudiesYoung AdultBotulinum Toxins, Type ANeuromuscular AgentsBotulinum toxin type aFACE-Q™ questionnaireLower facial contouringMasticatory functionThree-dimensional face scanning

Identifiers

PMID41073980
PMCPMC12512921

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.