Aneta Mijoska

TMJ TREATMENT OPTIONS: BOTOX VS. TRADITIONAL THERAPIES
Prof dr Aneta Mijoska
Department for prosthodontics, University Saint Cyril and Methodius, Faculty for Dentistry, Skopje, North Macedonia

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) presents myofascial disorder that affect the TMJ and surrounding structures. The prevalence of TMD is between 30% and 44%, with up to 25% of the population seeking professional care for TMD. Female patients are with higher prevalence then male. Symptoms are commonly related to pain surrounding the joint and may include headache, periauricular pain, neck pain, decreased jaw excursion, jaw locking, and noise at the joint with movement. Bruxism is a parafunction characterized by non-functional contact of the mandibular and maxillary teeth resulting in clenching or tooth grinding due to repetitive, unconscious contraction of the masseter and temporalis muscles.

Common therapies for TMJ disorders favor reversible and non-invasive treatments, focus on relieving pain, reducing joint inflammation, and restoring normal function. Oral splint devices are designed to reduce clenching or grinding of teeth, which can exacerbate TMJ symptoms. They work by adjusting the occlusion, which can help relieve pressure on the jaw joints. Traditional treatments include patient education, diet, physical therapy, myofunctional exercises, and medications.

While traditional treatments are often sufficient for many patients, they may not be effective for all cases, leading to explore alternatives. Neuromodulator like Botulinum toxin -Botox is an unconventional yet promising treatment for TMJ disorders. Many studies supported the use of Botox for TMJ dysfunction, but the results have not been consistent, and the treatment carries a risk of some mild and reversible side effects. With ongoing researches, the spectrum of clinical applications and number of people receiving Botox will no doubt increase. Botox appears to justify its title as ‘the poison that heals’.

associate professor Dr. Aneta Mijoska
Specialist in dental prosthodontic
Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Dental Prosthetics
Saint Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia

Graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry University Ss’ Cyril and Methodius, Skopje, North Macedonia in 1997. 2002-2007, worked as a dentist in the еmergency department at University Clinical Center Ss Panteleimon in Skopje. Since 2007, started working at the Clinic for Dental Prosthоdontics, where she became a specialist in dental prosthetics in 2011. In 2009, she was elected an assistant at the Department of Dental Prosthetics at the Faculty of Dentistry in Skopje. In 2015, she received her doctorate in zirconium dioxide ceramics - mechanical characteristics and adhesion properties. In 2022, she was elected associate professor. Field of research: full ceramic, occlusion, gnathology, T-scan analyses, Velscope-non-invasive technique for examining oral tissues and precancerous changes, gerontostomatology, etc.
Participated in many domestic and international projects (Faculty of Medicine - Ljubljana, Slovenia). She is the author and co-author of 3 professional books in the field and a pre-clinical practicum for faculty teaching. Author and co-author of over 75 scientific and professional papers in this field, regular active participant in European, world, and domestic congresses and conferences. Prof. Mijoska also performed as an invited lecturer at congresses in North Macedonia and abroad (3rd Congress of Dentists of Montenegro 2019, 19th and 21st Congress of Dentists of Serbia 2019, 2022, 2022 UBT Prishtina; Kosovo, 2023 BaSS Congress).
She expresses her professional work as a member of the editorial board of the scientific and professional journals Knowledge - International Journal, Medis indexed in several international databases, as Assistant editor of Vox Dentarii – North Macedonian Dental Chamber official magazine, and as a reviewer in several SCI journals. 2014-2018 vice president of the Supervisory Commission of the Dental Chamber of North Macedonia, Member of the Executive Board and Delegate of the Assembly of the North Macedonian Dental Chamber, President or regional committee of the North Macedonian Dental Chamber. Councilor from North Macedonia in the Balkan Stomatological Society.