Resolving Chronic Masticatory Myofascial Pain in a Bruxism Patient: A Case Report on Effective Treatment Approaches

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U. Uma
The Journal of the Dental Association of Thailand, Vol. 75(3):132-140

Chronic myofascial pain, often caused by trigger points in the masticatory muscles, results in significant muscle soreness due to factors such as muscle overuse, injury, poor posture, stress, and parafunctional habits.
A 21-year-old woman presented with persistent pain in the right cheek and temple, rated 8 out of 10 on the numeric rating scale (NRS), exacerbated by bruxism and stress. Clinical examination revealed tenderness in her masticatory muscles, trigger points, restricted mouth opening, and altered occlusion. She was diagnosed with myofascial pain.
Treatment included patient education, self-care strategies, occlusal splint therapy, trigger point injection, and low-level laser therapy. After 10 months, her pain score was reduced to 1 on the NRS, with improved occlusion and decreased muscle soreness. This case highlights the effectiveness of conservative and minimally invasive treatments, including education, occlusal splint therapy, trigger point injection, and low-level laser therapy, in addressing chronic masticatory myofascial pain related to bruxism. Identifying and addressing the underlying causes are essential for successful management.