Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2024 Mar 22;16(3):e56713.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.56713. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Comparative Efficacy of Non-Invasive Therapies in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Hesham A Alowaimer  1 , Sultan S Al Shutwi  2 , Mohammed K Alsaegh  2 , Ohood M Alruwaili  3 , Abdullah R Alrashed  4 , Salwa H AlQahtani  5 , Mohammed S Batais  6
Affiliations
Review

Comparative Efficacy of Non-Invasive Therapies in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: A Systematic Review

Hesham A Alowaimer et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a multifaceted disorder impacting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), causing substantial discomfort and functional limitations. This systematic review aims to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of non-invasive treatment modalities for TMJ dysfunction, prioritizing a definitive protocol to ensure patient safety and enhance quality of life. Employing the PRISMA guidelines, we meticulously analyzed 20 studies from a pool of 1,417 articles sourced from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Medline. These studies underscore the multifarious nature of TMD and the varied responses to treatments such as physical therapy, laser therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation, splint therapy, injections, and arthrocentesis. Notably, the review highlights the paramount importance of precise diagnosis, often through surface electromyography, followed by a tailored treatment approach integrating manual therapy, counseling, and splint therapy. The systematic analysis revealed that while certain treatments such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and low-level laser therapy showed limited efficacy, combination therapies, especially those involving manual therapy, counseling, and splint therapy, demonstrated substantial improvement in reducing pain, depression, and anxiety. The findings advocate for a non-invasive, patient-centric approach, emphasizing education and symptom management before considering more invasive procedures such as injections and arthrocentesis. The review identifies the need for more comprehensive, longitudinal studies to establish a standardized, evidence-based treatment protocol for TMJ dysfunction, aiming to improve patient outcomes holistically.

Keywords: dental laser therapy; tmj; tmj disorders; tmj pain; tmj surgery.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. PRISMA flowchart
PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Temporomandibular disorders: a review of etiology, clinical management, and tissue engineering strategies. Murphy MK, MacBarb RF, Wong ME, Athanasiou KA. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2013;28:0–414. - PMC - PubMed
    1. The temporomandibular joint: clinical and surgical aspects. DaSilva AF, Shaefer J, Keith DA. Neuroimaging Clin North Am. 2003;13:573–582. - PubMed
    1. Bordoni B, Varacallo M. StatPearls [Internet] Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Anatomy, head and neck, temporomandibular joint. - PubMed
    1. Vogl TJ. MRI of the Head and Neck. Vol. 1. Berlin: Springer; 1992. Temporomandibular joint; pp. 207–233.
    1. Temporomandibular joint: review of anatomy and clinical implications. Iturriaga V, Bornhardt T, Velasquez N. Dent Clin North Am. 2023;67:199–209. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources