Is splint therapy required after arthrocentesis to improve outcome in the management of temporomandibular joint disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Publication date: Available online 5 October 2018

Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology

Author(s): Shakil Ahmed Nagori, Anson Jose, Sanjay Kumar Roy Chowdhury, Ajoy Roychoudhury

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy of splint therapy in improving outcomes after arthrocentesis for the management of temporomandibular joint disorders.

Study design

A comprehensive electronic search was conducted to search for randomised control trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials (CCTs) and retrospective studies comparing arthrocentesis and splint therapy with arthrocentesis alone.

Results

Six studies were included in this review. There was no statistical significant difference in pain reduction with or without the use of splint after arthrocentesis at 1 month (fixed: WMD= -0.01, 95% CI -0.46 to 0.44; P= 0.96, I²=0%) and 6 months (fixed: WMD= -0.08, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.42; P= 0.66, I²=0%). Similarly, no difference was seen in improvement in maximal mouth opening at 1 month (fixed: WMD= -0.16, 95% CI -1.75 to 1.42; P= 0.84, I²=44%) and 6 months (fixed: WMD= -0.83, 95% CI -0.52 to 2.18; P= 0.23, I²=0%).

Conclusions

Within the limitation of this review, there is some evidence that, splint therapy may not improve outcomes after arthrocentesis. There is a need of well-designed RCT evaluating the additional benefit of splint therapy after arthrocentesis for managing temporomandibular joint disorders.

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