Temporomandibular joint disorder therapy: A review

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are one of the most prevalent disorders in maxillofacial area. Due to lack of understanding of the etiology or pathogenesis of TMD and a definitive  diagnostic or therapeutic approach, patients have to tolerate symptoms such as pain. This study was  aimed to perform a review of non-surgical treatment methods for TMD.

In this review, Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, SID, ISI Web of Science, SID and IranMedex databases were searched using key terms: temporomandibular  disorders, temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular pain, non-surgical treatment. Articles  meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited in the study. Finally, a total of 63 prospective  linical trials were evaluated from 2015 to 2020.

From the 61 studies evaluated, 27 studies were on low-level laser therapy (LLLT), 13 studies on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), 5 studies on acupuncture and dry  needling, 1 study on laser acupuncture, 9 studies on platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and 6 studies on  Botox injection.

Laser acupuncture had similar treatment effects in reducing pain to TENS, low-level laser, acupuncture and dry needling. It seems that the use of laser acupuncture is safer than other methods in decreasing pain of patients with TMD.