Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunctions: A Systematic Review of Treatment Approaches

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) encompass a diverse array of conditions affecting both the structure and function of the jaw. The aetiology of TMDs is multifactorial and may arise from muscular and joint disorders, degenerative processes, or a combination of various symptoms. The objective of this review was to analyse the physiotherapy treatment techniques used for the management of temporomandibular disorders. This review also aimed to compare the effectiveness of the differenttreatment methods used and identify the dysfunctions for which physiotherapy interventions are applied as the main treatment. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, Dialnet, and PEDro databases. After applying the inclusion criteria, 15 out of 656 articles were included. The application of different physiotherapy techniques, both alone and in combination, is effective in controlling the primary symptoms of TMD in patients. These symptoms include pain, functionality, and quality of life. The use of physiotherapy as a conservative intervention method for TMDs is supported by sufficient scientific evidence. The combination of different therapies within physiotherapy achieves the best results in treatment. Therapeutic exercise protocols, in combination with manual therapy techniques, are the most commonly utilized method for addressing TMDs and thus provide the best results according to the analysed studies.