J Oral Rehabil. 2023 May 24. doi: 10.1111/joor.13517. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Disc displacement with reduction (DDwR) therapy should be performed only when pain or discomfort is presented. Data on treatment options for painful DDwR are very limited.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate whether an isometric training of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM) is equivalent to stabilization appliance therapy with regard to treatment of painful DDwR. The training program is based on the science of Janda.
METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study with a comparative treatment group. Sixty patients (≥18 years) with DDwR and pain were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) muscle training, (2) stabilization appliance. The following variables were recorded at baseline examination and after 2, 4 and 6 months: changes in orofacial pain, clicking sounds of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), force degrees for the lateral movement of the mandible and interincisal opening distance. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant but 95% confidence intervals were also presented.
RESULTS: A decrease in orofacial pain intensity was seen in both groups (P < 0.0001). Registered TMJ clicking disappeared after 6 months of treatment in 37% (n=11) of the patients in the training group and in 27% (n=8) of the appliance group (P = 0.0009 and P = 0.0047). Muscle training showed 27 improvements in Janda force degrees at the end of the study (P < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION: Muscle training and appliance therapy improved mouth opening and reduced pain intensity in both patient groups. Muscle training might be a promising option in treatment of patients suffering from painful DDwR.
PMID:37226632 | DOI:10.1111/joor.13517
