Search Results (7)

This systematic review evaluates the clinical effectiveness of hyaluronic acid (HA) in periodontal therapy, oral surgery, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Background. HA, a biocompatible glycosaminoglycan with anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, is increasingly used in dentistry to enhance healing, reduce pain, and support periodontal regeneration. However, its efficacy compared to conventional treatments remains debated. Materials and Methods. A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (2015–2025). Twenty-one clinical studies, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case-control studies, were analyzed for outcomes related to pain reduction, tissue regeneration, and functional recovery. HA improved clinical attachment levels, reduced probing depth, and enhanced wound healing in periodontal therapy and oral surgery. It accelerated healing after extractions and frenectomies. However, TMJ disorder studies showed mixed results, with some reporting pain relief and functional improvement, while others found no significant advantage over platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or corticosteroids. Variability in HA formulations and protocols influenced outcomes. HA is a promising adjunct for periodontal therapy and wound healing. However, its role in TMJ treatment remains uncertain. Further RCTs with standardized protocols are needed to determine its optimal clinical application. Full article

Background/Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders affect the muscles used for chewing, the temporomandibular joint, and other related tissues, resulting in pain, limited mobility, and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles. Physical therapy plays a critical role in treatment. Manual therapy can trigger neurophysiological mechanisms that contribute to pain relief and a reduction in muscle activation. Evaluations of different manual therapy techniques are needed on this topic. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a specific manual therapy technique (the mandibular muscle energy technique) in adults with temporomandibular disorders. Methods: A randomized, parallel clinical trial was conducted, and 31 participants were recruited into an experimental group and 30 were recruited into a control group in order to analyze its effects on outcomes such as pain, pain threshold to pressure, mandibular mobility, and kinesiophobia. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were performed, followed by statistical analyses to verify the intra- and intergroup changes. Results: The results showed that the mandibular muscle energy technique produced positive effects with significant differences in the intra- and intergroup comparisons for pain threshold to pressure, mandibular mobility, and kinesiophobia, demonstrating its efficacy and safety as a treatment option for adults with temporomandibular disorders, with proven effects in the short term. Conclusions: The effects obtained and the absence of side effects showed that this technique can be integrated into multimodal treatment along with other types of interventions in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Full article

Background: Intra-articular injections reduce pain in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders who are unresponsive to conservative treatment. Hyaluronic acid, blood products, and medications provide rapid relief when administered this way, although their mechanisms of action remain unclear. In control groups, which are intended to be untreated, 0.9% NaCl is typically delivered. The hypothesis that “normal saline injections in TMJ cavities produce a therapeutic effect” is proposed, with an exploration of its potential verification, alongside a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on intra-TMJ 0.9% NaCl. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on patients with TMJ internal derangement, arthritis, or degeneration were selected under PRISMA 2020 and assessed with RoB2. Results: Seven RCTs with 359 patients were included. Weekly follow-ups revealed a decrease in articular pain by 23.72% (SE: 0.84%; 95% CI: 24.38–21.06%; p < 0.01), and monthly follow-ups indicated a decrease of 34.01% (SE: 1.09%; 95% CI: 36.16–31.86%; p < 0.01) compared to the baseline values. These findings were grounded in low-risk-of-bias evidence on 267 patients in five RCTs and 222 patients in four RCTs, respectively. Conclusions: The hypothesis warrants further testing to determine whether, in addition to the known biological activity of typical injectables, the mechanical action also contributes to pain relief. Full article

In this study, to develop the composition ceramics for the application of an ultrasonic transducer device for alleviating temporomandibular joint disorder pain, Pb_0.88 (La_0.6 Sm_0.4)_0.08(Mn_1/3 Sb_2/3)_0.02Ti_0.98 O₃ ceramics were manufactured using CuO as sintering aids, and their piezoelectric and resonant properties were investigated. For the specimen sintered at 1200 °C, excellent values of piezoelectric properties appeared: the dielectric constant (εr) of 202, piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) of 56 pC/N, first and third overtone electromechanical coupling factors k_t of 0.548 and k_t3 of 0.219, and first and third overtone mechanical quality factors Q_mt1 of 345 and Q_mt3 of 292, respectively, made the device suitable for application as an ultrasonic transducer. When the length of the piezoelectric device was 7.7 mm, the first and third overtone electromechanical coupling factors k_t1 of 0.555 and k_t3 of 0.196, first and third overtone mechanical quality factors Q_mt1 of 381 and Q_mt3 of 393, and first and third overtone dynamic ratios (D.Rs) of 63.7 (dB) and 37.7 (dB) were suitable for device applications as an ultrasonic transducer and facial skin massage, respectively. Full article

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are prevalent musculoskeletal conditions involving pain and dysfunction of jaw mobility and function, which have proven difficult to treat satisfactorily. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a liquid platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) infusion during arthrocentesis versus other options using coadjuvant materials to reduce TMD symptoms. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov for RCTs published before January 2024, comparing i-PRF to any other TMD treatment. This systematic review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023495364). The searches generated several recent RCTs that compared i-PRF injection combined with arthrocentesis (AC) to AC-only or AC with platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The outcomes analyzed included measures of pain (visual analog scale, VAS), maximum mouth opening, joint sounds, and MRI-verified changes in joint structure. Across the RCTs, the addition of i-PRF injection to AC resulted in significant improvements in pain relief, joint function, mouth opening, and structural changes compared to AC-only or with PRP over follow-up periods ranging from 6 to 12 months. Current clinical evidence favors using i-PRF as an adjunct to AC rather than AC-only or AC with PRP for the treatment of TMDs. The improvements in subjective and objective outcome measures are clinically meaningful. Still, additional high-quality RCTs with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups are required to strengthen the evidence base and better define the role of i-PRF in TMD management guidelines. Full article

Background: Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are manifested, inter alia, by pain and limited scope of the mandibular abduction. Among the treatment strategies for these ailments, intra-articular injections of autologous blood preparations, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), are administered. This prospective case series was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of repeated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration to the TMJ cavities in terms of reducing articular pain and increasing the mobility of the mandible. Material and methods: 40 consecutive patients diagnosed with TMJ pain qualified for the case series. The entire treatment program consisted of five PRP administrations and a summary appointment. Regression was analyzed for (1) intensity of spontaneous pain; (2) effectiveness of spontaneous pain relief; (3) mastication efficiency values; (4) painless mandibular abduction; (5) maximum mouth opening. The correlations between the abovementioned variable series were analyzed. Results: The mean spontaneous pain decreased consistently with successive PRP administrations in line with the regression model: −0.4x + 4.2 (R² = 0.98). Articular pain improvement was reported in 71% of joints treated. Improvement in chewing quality at the end of the entire injection cycle was found in 63% of patients. The equations for the linear regression models for painless mandibular abduction (five applications of PRP) and maximum mouth opening (the first four applications of PRP) were x + 34 (R² = 0.89) and 0.6x + 43.6 (R² = 0.96), respectively. Improvement in these domains was found in 78% and 53% of patients, respectively. The strongest correlations were found between pain and chewing efficiency (−0.95), pain and painless mandible abduction (−0.96), and painless mandibular abduction and mastication efficiency (0.94). Conclusion: PRP injections into TMJ cavities should be considered as a low invasive, highly accessible form of treatment for various TMDs causing pain and mandible movement limitation. Full article

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) consist of multifactorial musculoskeletal disorders associated with the muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), and annexed structures. This clinical condition is characterized by temporomandibular pain, restricted mandibular movement, and TMJ synovial inflammation, resulting in reduced quality of life of affected people. Commonly, TMD management aims to reduce pain and inflammation by using pharmacologic therapies that show efficacy in pain relief but their long-term use is frequently associated with adverse effects. For this reason, the use of natural compounds as an effective alternative to conventional drugs appears extremely interesting. Indeed, polyphenols could represent a potential therapeutic strategy, related to their ability to modulate the inflammatory responses involved in TMD. The present work reviews the mechanisms underlying inflammation-related TMD, highlighting the potential role of polyphenols as a promising approach to develop innovative management of temporomandibular diseases. Full article