Effectiveness of Arthrocentesis for TMJ Disorders - A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex and frequently used joints in the human body. It is a bilateral synovial articulation that connects the mandibular condyle to the temporal bone of the skull and plays a vital role in essential functions such as mastication, speech, swallowing, yawning, and facial expression. The joint consists of the mandibular condyle, articular eminence, glenoid fossa, articular disc, ligaments, and associated muscles, all of which work in harmony to facilitate smooth mandibular movements(1).

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs) represent a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions affecting the TMJ, masticatory muscles, and associated structures. These disorders are among the most common causes of non-dental orofacial pain and can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life. Clinical manifestations of TMJDs include pain in the preauricular region, joint sounds such as clicking or crepitus, restricted mouth opening, deviation of the mandible during movement, headaches, ear-related symptoms, and difficulty in chewing.(2) The etiology of TMJDs is multifactorial and may involve trauma, parafunctional habits, psychological stress, occlusal discrepancies, inflammatory conditions, and degenerative joint diseases(2,3).