Search Results (368)

Background/Objectives: Considering that the kinematics of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) is concomitant with head movements and that temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are frequently associated with neck pain in clinics but seldom or never investigated, the aim of this study was to develop a reliable in vivo measurement protocol of the simultaneous amplitudes of the mandible and of the skull. The development of such a protocol is part of a project to build an accurate kinematic assessment tool for clinicians in the orofacial field who treat patients suffering from TMD. Methods: Mouth opening, laterotrusion and protrusion movements for three different positions of the head (neutral, slouched and military) on 12 asymptomatic voluntary subjects (5 men and 7 women, mean 33.6 yo +/− 11.1) were recorded using 20 markers palpated and taped and 14 optoelectronic cameras. The acquisition frequency was set at 150 hertz. The inter- and intra-examiner reliability of marker palpation in mm was calculated using standard deviation (SD), mean difference (MD) and standard error (SE). Amplitudes of movement according to axes defined by the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB) are given for the mandible and skull segments. The propagation of error on the amplitudes was calculated with the root mean square propagation error (RMSPE) in degrees. Repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests were used to assess the influence of the position of the head on the amplitudes of the jaw. Power analysis of the sample size was estimated with Cohen’s f3 size effect test. Steady-state plots (SSPs) and normalized motion graphs between the skull and the mandible motion were performed to study the coordination of their maximum amplitude over time. Results: The protocol demonstrated good intra-examiner reliability (1.5 < MD < 5.8; 2.6 < SD < 7.8; 2.0 < SE < 3.8), good inter-examiner reproducibility (0.2 < MD < 4.0; 3.5 < SD < 4.6; 2.0 < SE < 2.5) and small error propagation (0.0 < RMSPE intra < 2.8; 0.0 < RMSPE inter < 1.0). The amplitudes of the jaw and head found during the three types of movements correspond to the values reported in the literature. Head positions did not appear to significantly influence the amplitudes of jaw movements, which could be explained by the power estimation of our sample (Type II error β = 0.692). The participation of head movements in those of the jaw, for all motions and in all positions, was demonstrated and discussed in detail. Conclusions: The accuracy, test–retest reliability, and intra-individual variability of the TMJ kinematic analysis, including head movements, was ensured. The small sample size and the absence of standardized head positions for the subjects limit the scope of the intra- and inter-group analysis results. Given the natural biological and complex coordination of jaw–head movement, the authors consider its evaluation useful in clinical intervention and would like to further develop the present protocol. The next step should be to test the feasibility of its clinical application with a larger group of asymptomatic subjects compared to patients suffering from TMD. Full article

Age-related differences in temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) have been suggested; however, age-specific patterns of functional recovery following occlusal splint therapy remain insufficiently characterized. This retrospective observational study evaluated longitudinal changes in bite force across different age groups in patients with unilateral TMJ OA undergoing stabilization splint therapy. Thirty-two patients diagnosed according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) were categorized into three age groups (20–39, 40–59, and ≥60 years). Maximum bite force was measured repeatedly from baseline to 2 weeks and up to 6 months during the observation period following splint application. Patients aged 60 years and older exhibited significantly lower baseline maximum bite force compared with younger groups (p = 0.011), but demonstrated a gradual and statistically significant increase over the observation period (p = 0.011). In contrast, patients aged 20–39 years showed a significant improvement in bite force asymmetry after 2 weeks of treatment (p = 0.047), which was maintained throughout follow-up. These findings suggest that functional recovery patterns in unilateral TMJ OA may vary according to age, with younger patients showing earlier improvement and older patients demonstrating slower but progressive functional gains. Bite force assessment may serve as a complementary functional parameter for characterizing age-related differences in functional change in patients with unilateral TMJ OA. Full article

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether orthodontic treatment alters the morphology and bone mineral density (BMD) distribution of the mandibular condyle in growing adolescent patients. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were retrospectively analyzed for 29 patients (10 males and 19 females, aged 12.5 to 17.0 years) treated with full fixed orthodontic appliances. The right and left mandibular condyles were digitally isolated. For the internal control sample, the basal cortical bone (CB) at both mandibular first molar sites was also digitally dissected. A frequency plot of the CBCT gray values, proportional to BMD, was analyzed to calculate the mean and the 5th percentile of low and high gray values (Low₅ and High₅). Morphological changes in the condylar surface were assessed based on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) counts. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were used to measure facial morphology parameters and classify skeletal patterns. The cervical vertebral gray values of the same patients were compared. No radiographic signs of TMJ disorder were observed with no significant difference in TMJOA counts between before and after treatment (p = 0.56). The volume, mean and Low₅ gray values of the mandibular condyle, facial morphology parameters, and cervical vertebral gray values significantly increased following orthodontic treatment (p < 0.05). Skeletal Class II patients exhibited greater changes in mean, Low₅, and High₅ mandibular condyle gray values compared to their Class I patients (p < 0.05), whereas cervical vertebral gray values were not significantly influenced by skeletal classification (p > 0.19). The findings suggest that orthodontic treatment, combined with natural patient growth, contributes to nonpathological condylar alterations in adolescent patients. Full article

Aim: This study aimed to assess self-reported oral and orofacial health, hygiene habits, and oral health knowledge among Croatian athletes, and to determine factors influencing that knowledge. Differences between contact and non-contact sports, as well as the occurrence of dental trauma and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms, were also examined. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 1007 athletes (56% male, 44% female) aged 18–42 years, recruited through national sports federations and university sports clubs. The instrument comprised 85 items divided into five domains: sociodemographic data, oral hygiene habits, self-assessed oral health, TMJ symptoms, and oral health knowledge. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, and generalised linear modelling (p < 0.05). Results: Athletes demonstrated moderate oral health knowledge (mean score 11.3 ± 4.4/18). While 92.2% recognised that poor oral hygiene leads to caries and periodontitis, only 52.4% correctly identified the ideal time to replant an avulsed tooth. Female participants, older age groups, and those with higher education had significantly better knowledge (p ≤ 0.05). Recreational athletes scored higher than amateurs (p = 0.002), and those with prior dental trauma experience also showed greater awareness (p = 0.028). No significant difference was found between contact and non-contact sports (p = 0.287). Despite good brushing habits (86.9% brushed twice daily), only 25.4% regularly used dental floss or interdental brushes. A small proportion of athletes reported symptoms related to temporomandibular joint function, most commonly joint clicking (18.2%), tooth wear (13.4%), and nocturnal bruxism (14.3%). There were no significant differences between contact and non-contact sports, except for muscle stiffness near the temples (p = 0.024) and daytime or stress-related teeth grinding (p = 0.013 and p = 0.018). Conclusions: Croatian athletes demonstrated moderate oral health knowledge and satisfactory hygiene habits, but preventive practices remain inadequate. Education level, gender, and previous dental trauma were key determinants of knowledge. Systematic preventive programmes and targeted education are necessary to improve oral health awareness in sports populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate pretreatment osseous changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in orthognathic surgery patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine the distribution of the findings according to sagittal skeletal malocclusion groups. Methods: CBCT images of 103 patients (206 condyles) were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified as Class I, II, and III based on ANB angles. Condylar morphology was assessed for flattening, sclerosis, erosion, osteophyte formation, and subchondral bone cysts. All evaluations were performed by a single investigator (κ = 0.87). Group differences were analyzed using the chi-square test with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05). Results: The most frequent alteration was flattening (29.6%), followed by sclerosis (11.2%), erosion (10.7%), osteophyte formation (8.3%), and subchondral bone cysts (4.4%). No significant sex-related differences were found (p > 0.05). A significant difference was observed only in sclerosis (p = 0.049), which was more prevalent in Class I than Class III. Flattening predominated in all groups, while erosion and osteophytes were more common in Class II, and sclerosis was more frequent in Class I. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that condylar flattening was the most common morphological alteration in orthognathic patients across all skeletal malocclusion groups. The higher prevalence of sclerosis in Class I compared with Class III suggests that mandibular positioning may influence adaptive and degenerative remodeling processes of the TMJ. This study emphasizes the importance of CBCT evaluation for detecting osseous changes in TMJ before orthognathic surgery and demonstrates that pre-existing alterations may impact surgical stability and postoperative functional outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined the association between energy drink consumption and self-reported bruxism behaviors and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain among young adults in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered survey was distributed to young adults aged 18–30. After applying predefined exclusion criteria, the analytic sample for the TMD-related analyses comprised n = 1373 participants. The questionnaire captured demographics, frequency and duration of energy drink consumption, self-reported bruxism behaviours (clenching, grinding, bracing, thrusting), TMJ pain symptoms adapted from DC/TMD screening items, and psychological stress measured by the validated Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Questionnaire reliability was assessed in a pilot (n = 20) using Cohen’s Kappa. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression (adjusting for age, sex, smoking and stress) were used to evaluate associations. Results: Among participants, 309 (22.5%) reported daily energy drink use. Self-reported bruxism behaviors were present in 19.4% (n = 60) of consumers, with an additional 26.9% suspecting these behaviors. TMJ pain on awakening was reported by 41.1% (n = 127) of consumers. Energy drink consumption was significantly associated with higher odds of self-reported bruxism behaviors (χ² = 115.6, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, daily consumption remained independently associated with bruxism (adjusted OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3–2.7; p = 0.001). Higher consumption frequency was also linked to an increased number of oral health symptoms. Conclusions: after adjusting for key confounders, energy drink consumption was associated with greater prevalence of self-reported bruxism behaviors and TMJ pain among young Jordanian adults. These findings emphasize the potential oral health risks of habitual energy drink use and underscore the need for targeted education and preventive strategies in this population. Full article

We aimed to investigate the type of bone changes in temporomandibular disorder patients with disc displacement. The subjects were 117 temporomandibular joints that were diagnosed with anterior disc displacement using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and opening dysfunction were examined. Disc displacement with and without reduction, joint effusion, and bone changes in the mandibular condyle were assessed on MRI. The types of bone changes were classified into erosion, flattening, osteophyte, and atrophy on the MR images. Fisher’s exact test and χ² test were performed for analyses. Bone changes were found on 30.8% of subjects with erosion, flattening, osteophyte, and atrophy types (p < 0.001). The occurrence of joint effusion appearance (p < 0.001), TMJ pain (p = 0.027), and opening dysfunction (p = 0.002) differed among the types of bone changes. Gender differences were also found among the types of bone changes (p < 0.001). The rate of disc displacement with reduction was significantly smaller than that of disc displacement without reduction on flattening and osteophyte (p < 0.001). The results made it clear that the symptoms, gender, and presence or absence of disc reduction differed among the types of bone changes. Full article

Introduction: Malocclusion and dysfunctional or atypical swallowing are two conditions that significantly affect the health and well-being of the stomatognathic system, so much so that they often interact, influencing each other, and the presence of one can cause the onset or aggravation of the other. In this regard, over the years studies have been carried out that tried to discover the correlation between atypical swallowing and malocclusion. The aim is to evaluate the prevalence of dysfunctional swallowing in patients with malocclusion, to examine the pathophysiological mechanisms linking malocclusion and dysfunctional swallowing, and above all to investigate what potential risk factors may be. Materials and Methods: A sample of 60 patients aged between 6 and 16 years was analyzed at the Department of Dentistry of the University of L’Aquila. Some characteristics of the subjects’ face and posture were analyzed both from a frontal and lateral point of view. An orthodontic, temporomandibular joint, and masticatory muscle diagnosis was made. In addition, an examination of oral structures and functions was performed that allowed breathing, swallowing, chewing, and phono-articulation to be assessed. Results: It was observed that all the children had atypical swallowing, with significant postural abnormalities of the tongue; in fact, only 5% had a correct posture of the tongue at rest. In the analysis of occlusal characteristics, it emerged that with regard to the transverse plane, 21.67% of subjects have a condition of No Cross, while 10% show a Unilateral Cross. Finally, 68.33% show a Bilateral Cross. As far as the anterior–posterior plane is concerned, most of the subjects, equal to 76.67%, are placed in Class I, while 23.33% are in Class II. Finally, in relation to the vertical plane, 63.33% of subjects have normal occlusion, while 25% suffer from deep bite and 11.67% from open bite. The sample, stratified by presence or absence of alerts, shows significant differences for atypical swallowing (p = 0.031), for the presence of Class II malocclusion (p = 0.002), for low lingual posture, (p < 0.001), and for labial incompetence (p = 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the presence of atypical swallowing (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.04–1.07, p = 0.029), open bite malocclusion (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01–1.18, p = 0.013), low lingual posture (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.18, p = 0.002), and the presence of labial incompetence (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.10, p = 0.029) were significant clinical risk factors independently associated with the presence of alerts. Conclusions: The data collected confirm that atypical swallowing is a key element in the development of malocclusions, with a strong impact on posterior crossbite, anterior overjet, and other occlusal discrepancies. Among the data collected in the diagnostic phase, patients who presented at least one significant alert were also considered and atypical swallowing, low lingual posture, open bite malocclusion, and the presence of labial incompetence were statistically significant. Full article

Background/Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a heterogeneous subset of orthodontic conditions with persistent diagnostic and reporting variability. This review compared transparency, reporting quality, and spin prevalence in TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular joint)-focused orthodontic randomized controlled trials (RCTs) versus general orthodontic RCTs. Methods: The review followed PRISMA 2020 and was registered in PROSPERO (4201024184). Searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from the earliest available records in each database up to 15 October 2025. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed human orthodontic RCTs. Five transparency indicators (funding disclosure, bias discussion, confounder consideration, protocol registration, reporting-guideline adherence) and five spin indicators (selective focus, unsupported efficacy claims, emphasis on benefits, recommendations despite nonsignificance, “trend toward significance” language) were coded dichotomously. Beta–binomial mixed-effects models compared composite scores between groups, adjusting for publication era, impact factor, and journal clustering. Results: Among 874 included trials (840 general, 34 TMD/TMJ-focused), TMD/TMJ-focused studies showed lower adjusted transparency (odds ratio (OR) = 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.99; p = 0.047), mainly due to limited registration and incomplete guideline adherence. Predicted transparency proportions were 0.82 for general and 0.73 for TMD/TMJ-focused studies. Composite spin did not differ (OR = 1.05; 95% CI 0.68–1.62; p = 0.821), though TMD/TMJ-focused abstracts more often emphasized benefits (OR = 4.62) and recommended interventions despite nonsignificant primary outcomes (OR = 2.83). Conclusions: TMD-focused orthodontic trials exhibited lower transparency and a distinct pattern of interpretive spin, particularly a greater tendency to emphasize benefits or recommend interventions despite non-significant results, compared with general orthodontic research. Full article

Background: Functional imbalance within the stomatognathic system can develop long before clinical symptoms become evident. Subtle biological changes, such as low-grade inflammation or metabolic disturbance, may precede gingival inflammation, temporomandibular discomfort, or masticatory muscle sensitivity. This study introduces the BioRisk-S (Biological Risk–Stomatognathic System) algorithm, a predictive model designed to identify early systemic alterations associated with the subclinical stage of stomatognathic dysfunction. Methods: A total of 260 clinically healthy adults without apparent stomatognathic disorders were enrolled and evaluated at baseline (T0) and re-examined after six months (T1). Routine laboratory tests were performed to determine high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. These biomarkers were integrated into the BioRisk-S algorithm to estimate systemic biological imbalance. Follow-up examinations focused on detecting early functional changes, including gingival inflammation, signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and masticatory muscle tenderness. Results: Participants with higher baseline BioRisk-S scores showed significantly higher hs-CRP and NLR values, as well as lower vitamin D levels, indicating a mild but persistent inflammatory profile. After six months, these individuals exhibited early gingival inflammation, muscle tenderness, or mild TMJ discomfort more frequently than those with low BioRisk-S values (p < 0.01). The predictive model demonstrated good accuracy for detecting early biological imbalance preceding clinical dysfunction, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78–0.89). Conclusions: The BioRisk-S algorithm represents a feasible, low-cost tool for early systemic screening of functional imbalance within the stomatognathic system. By integrating routine laboratory parameters, this method may help identify individuals at risk before the onset of visible symptoms, supporting preventive and personalized approaches in oral and systemic health management. Full article

This study introduces a novel mixed reality (MR) TMJ dislocation teaching program developed using HoloLens 2 and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. The program offers an immersive learning experience, enabling individuals to visualize and interact with detailed 3D temporomandibular joint (TMJ) models and practice different reduction techniques repeatedly. Real-time feedback, combining the visual holographic overlay with mechanical resistance in the physical model, supports the learning process. The 3D-printed skull model provided haptic feedback, strengthened the positive response given by the MR model, and reinforced muscle memory. Despite some challenges related to the learning curve and cost, the program shows promise for practicing uncommon, high-anxiety clinical procedures in medical education. Future research directions include comparisons with traditional teaching methods, evaluating long-term skill retention, and exploring MR applications in other clinical procedures. Overall, this project demonstrates the potential of MR technology to advance medical education and skill acquisition. Full article

Background: Maxillofacial trauma can impair crucial functions of the stomatognathic system. Mandibular condyle fractures, in particular, often lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. Methods: This study evaluated the effectiveness of open rigid internal fixation (ORIF) in restoring TMJ function, using the Helkimo Index to compare pre- and post-operative outcomes. Results: A total of 395 patients who underwent ORIF for condylar fractures were analyzed (302 males, 93 females). TMJ function improved significantly from baseline to 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001), with a mean reduction of 2.18 grades on the Helkimo Index. Higher post-operative Helkimo grades (2–3) occurred more frequently during warm months than during cold months (p < 0.05). Low body mass index (BMI) was associated with a greater risk of post-surgical TMJ dysfunction (p < 0.001). TMJ function correlated with facial nerve recovery: patients with poorer pre-operative TMJ function showed additionally slower facial nerve recovery during the first five months after surgery. Age, gender, place of residence, injury characteristics, comorbidities, delay of surgery, duration of surgery, surgical approach, fixing material and laboratory blood tests showed no significant association with post-operative TMJ function. Residual TMJ dysfunction was observed in 3% of treated patients (Di = 3). Conclusions: ORIF, combined with appropriate post-operative physiotherapy, effectively restores TMJ function after condylar fractures—including severe injuries. Simple clinical indices such as the Helkimo Index reliably capture functional improvement. Full article

Background: Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) affect millions worldwide and rank among the most frequent causes of orofacial pain unrelated to dental disease. Beyond discomfort, they can restrict mandibular motion and impair chewing efficiency. Arthrocentesis has been adopted as a favored surgical approach after conservative therapy fails since joint lavage can reduce inflammation and restore mobility with minimal invasiveness. A variety of irrigants are available for this procedure, including normal saline, Ringer’s lactate, and ozonated water, each offering potential therapeutic advantages. However, the comparative effectiveness of these solutions in terms of pain reduction and functional recovery has not been clearly established, warranting systematic evaluation. Materials and Methods: Following PRISMA recommendations, a literature search was conducted in PubMed and ScienceDirect between 10 October and 14 November 2024. The search focused on studies published in English within the past ten years that examined arthrocentesis for temporomandibular joint disorders using normal saline, Ringer’s lactate, or ozonated water as the irrigant. Results: Seven clinical trials involving 220 patients were included, of which three provided data suitable for meta-analysis. Qualitative synthesis indicated that all irrigants reduced pain (VAS) and improved maximum mouth opening (MMO), with ozonated water showing the greatest mean improvements (VAS reduction 6.2 points; MMO gain 12.9 mm). Ringer’s lactate and saline also demonstrated clinically relevant effects. Quantitative analysis revealed no baseline group differences (VAS p = 0.800; MMO p = 0.935). Short-term (≤1 month) random effects models showed non-significant changes for VAS (Fisher’s z = 1.32; 95% CI −2.64 to 0.00) and MMO (z = 0.04; 95% CI −0.14 to 0.21). At 3–6 months, ozonated water produced a statistically significant reduction in pain (z = −0.34; 95% CI −0.53 to −0.15), whereas MMO remained unchanged (z = 0.05; 95% CI −0.13 to 0.22). Conclusions: Arthrocentesis with any irrigant improves TMD symptoms. Ozonated water demonstrated the strongest long-term analgesic effect, but MMO improvements did not reach significance. Larger, standardized randomized trials are required to validate these findings. Full article

Accurate evaluation of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) components is essential for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, the current diagnostic process relies heavily on manual measurements, which are time-consuming and prone to human error. Here, the fundamental task is performed using imaging techniques and locating regions of interest in the TMJ. Nowadays, such image segmentation has been automated using a number of deep learning models. Nonetheless, developed models for TMJ segmentation are primarily built on symmetric convolutional kernels, which may limit their ability to capture the inherently asymmetric structures of the joint. To address this gap, this work proposes a novel approach that integrates an asymmetric kernel into a DenseUNet architecture and squeeze-and-excitation blocks for the automatic segmentation of three key morphological components of the TMJ. A metaheuristic iterated local search algorithm was used to identify the most effective kernel configuration within a search space of ${15}^2$ asymmetric kernel combinations. The resulting optimized architecture was trained and evaluated on a TMJ imaging dataset and compared against nine state-of-the-art segmentation architectures. The proposed method achieved the highest Dice coefficient of 0.78, outperforming all baseline architectures, and demonstrated efficient processing with an average inference time of 0.16 s per image. These results highlight the potential of the proposed system to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of TMJ diagnostics in clinical settings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anterior disc displacement (ADD) is a common temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and may progress to internal derangements. Although arthroscopic discopexy (minimally invasive disc repositioning with fixation) has been adopted, suggested techniques and pooled outcomes have not been comprehensively synthesized. The aim of the present study was to summarize the effectiveness of arthroscopic discopexy in treating patients with disc-related TMJ disorders. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Cochrane guidance and PRISMA 2020 protocol. Four databases were searched through 1 September 2025. A total of 26 studies were included in this review. Nine studies met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis and were pooled. The remaining 17 studies were narratively described, focusing on surgical characteristics. Continuous outcomes (MIO, pain score (VAS 0–10)) were pooled as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and joint sounds were synthesized as dichotomous outcomes. Analyses and heterogeneity were performed in RevMan 5.4. Certainty was graded with GRADE. (PROSPERO: CRD420251145229). Results: 1086 TMJs were analyzed. Arthroscopic discopexy significantly improved MIO, pain, and joint sounds at all time points. The MD of MIO was 10.58 mm (95% CI: 4.46 to 16.70; p ≤ 0.001), 9.83 mm (95% CI: 4.09 to 15.57; p ≤ 0.001), and 13.06 mm (95% CI: 4.40 to 21.72; p ≤ 0.001), respectively. The MD of the pain score was −4.36 (95% CI: −6.89 to −1.82; p ≤ 0.001), −3.91 (95% CI: −6.23 to −1.59; p ≤ 0.001), and −4.56 (95% CI: −7.81 to −1.31; p < 0.01), respectively. At 12 months, joint sounds were less frequent than preoperatively (OR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.37; p < 0.01). Overall, the certainty of evidence according to the GRADE approach was rated as low. Therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution, as high heterogeneity was observed across the three follow-up time points and the included studies were observational. Conclusions: These findings underscore the significance of arthroscopic discopexy in enhancing TMJ function and alleviating symptoms. Current evidence, characterized by a low risk of bias and low certainty, supports the advantage of arthroscopic discopexy. Due to the observational evidence base and heterogeneity, high-quality randomized trials conducted under standardized treatment protocols and with longer follow-up are needed. Full article