Review suggests that counselling may have a role in management of temporomandibular disorders

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Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of disorders with symptoms that include pain, clicking, grating in the jaw joint and/or problems chewing or opening the jaw.   It has been estimated that around 75% of the population have at least one sign of TMD.  The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of counselling [read the full story…]

Only weak evidence available to support the use of intra- articular corticosteroids in treatment of temporomandibular joint arthritis in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement is seen in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Interventions for TMJ arthritis in these patients are aimed at maintaining joint function and reducing symptoms and avoiding permanent damage to the joint components. Treatment of the TMJ has included intra- articular corticosteroid injection (IACI). However there are concerns that while there [read the full story…]

Small study finds limited benefit for lavage to supplement local anesthetic treatment for treatment of temporomandibular disorders

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It has been estimates that 20% to 30% of the adult population will experience temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term efficacy of two treatments for patients with permanently displaced discs and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) pain. Adult patients( ≥ 18)  with TMD  pain and disk displacement without reduction (DDwoR)  [read the full story…]

Little good evidence currently available to support the effectiveness of antidepressants in the treatment of orofacial pain

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Orofacial pain is a relatively common and is categorized into musculoskeletal; neuropathic; vascular; neurovascular; idiopathic; pain caused by local, distant, or systemic pathology; and psychogenic.  Diagnosis can be challenging when psychosocial factors are present and while antidepressants have been used as a treatment there remains some controversy.  The aim of this review was to assess [read the full story…]

For patients with temporomandibular disorders stablisation splint did not provide additional pain relief over counselling and muscle exercises alone in short term

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The 2003 Cochrane review by Al-Ani et al found no evidence for or against the use of stablisation splints for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). While a subsequent review by Fricton et al in 2010 found modest evidence for effectiveness of hard stabilization splints.  The implications from both reviews are that more robust randomised [read the full story…]

Treating obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome with oral appliances results in more short term TMD pain than using CPAP

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Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) affects about 4% of the male and 2% of the female population of North America. Standard treatment is with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) however this has poor adherence in some groups and oral appliance therapy is an alternative therapy. The aim of this trial was to assess variations in [read the full story…]

Ultrasonography has acceptable diagnostic efficacy for detection of temporomandibular joint disc displacement

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Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) result in craniofacial pain, limited mouth opening, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicks affecting the joint and related structures.  A prevalence of between 10% to 70% has been reported, and it particularly effects women aged 20 to 40 years. TMDs can be classified into muscular disorders, internal derangement (ID), inflammatory disease, and osteoarthritis. Internal [read the full story…]

Paucity of evidence for the effectiveness of treatments for temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as with many of the other joints, can be affected by osteoarthritis (OA).  This is characterized by progressive destruction of the internal surfaces of the joint which can result in debilitating pain and joint noises.  Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis affecting the TMJ.  The aim of this [read the full story…]

Physical therapy did not have an additional effect over advice on management of patients with temporomandibular disorders

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Physical therapy (PT) is recognised as a conservative method for the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, some studies suggest that physical therapy provides minimal, if any therapeutic effect while others suggest evidence to support its use for the treatment of TMD.  The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of physical therapy [read the full story…]

No evidence to support the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy for treatment of temporomandibular disorders

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The aim of this review was  to  assess the scientific evidence on the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The authors searched  the  PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Clinical Trials Register, and PEDro databases.  Papers were screened, extracted, and quality assessed  independently by two  reviewers. A meta-analysis- was performed [read the full story…]