Botox for Oromandibular Dystonia

Botox is used mainly as a beauty treatment, relieving middle aged people of their wrinkles, allowing them to feel a bit younger. Botox does just that, it basically paralyses the muscles so they can't form wrinkles, it is pretty simple really but it has been quite a controversial treatment. Since its popularity has peaked in recent years studies have been done to see what other effects Botox might have on muscles in different parts of the body. 
Oromandibular Dystonia or OMD is a condition in which muscles in the lower face and jaw involuntarily twist or spasm. Their jaw opens or closes suddenly and it can also cause the jaw to get out of alignment. The condition is very bothersome to say the least so people are trying to find new ways to combat it. 
Dr Catherine Sinclair reported the findings of a study done at the Triological Society’s Combined Sections meeting. Botox had proven successful at treating OMD in a study going back to 1995. 59 patients with OMD were tested to see if Botox could be an effective treatment. To see results, 10 of them needed only one session of Botox, 10 needed 2 sessions, and the other 39 needed more sessions but all of them eventually got results. Overall median time between injections was about 3 months.
The key to getting the right treatment involved a few things. One was finding the right place and depth to inject, injecting too deep left the patient with a numb tongue or teeth. Another issue was the right amount of Botox needing to be injected for each patient, some needed more than others it seemed. 
Botox is well known as a beauty treatment but its propensity for treating other more serious issues is being proven. Botox is an interesting new drug with new possibilities for people with age old problems such as OMD.