Efficacy of Blood Factors for Treatment of Temporomandibular  Disorders: A Review

Akram  Ghannadpour; Shahab  Honar; Ahmad  Toumaj; Seyedeh Paniz  Mousavi Sangsaraki; Farnoosh  Razmara

doi:10.18502/jcr.v11i4.18707

Akram Ghannadpour Private Practice, Tehran, Iran.
Shahab Honar Private Practice in Periodontics, Mazandaran, Iran.
Ahmad Toumaj Instructor, Department of Prosthodontics, Dental School, Islamic Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Seyedeh Paniz Mousavi Sangsaraki Private Practice, Bangalore, India.
Farnoosh Razmara Craniomaxillofacial Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jcr.v11i4.18707

Keywords: Blood factors; Temporomandibular disorders; Platelet-rich plasma; Platelet-rich fibrin.

Abstract

Introduction: To date, no consensus has been reached on one single efficient treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Considering the existing controversy regarding the efficacy of blood factors for the treatment of TMDs, this study aimed to do a comprehensive review of the efficacy of blood factors for the treatment of TMDs.

Materials and Methods: In this review study PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published from 2012 to 2023 using platelet-rich plasma (PRP), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), injection, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, blood supply, and blood as keywords. Eligible articles were included and reviewed.

Results: Nineteen eligible articles were reviewed, of which, TMJ pain had been evaluated in 10, ankylosis in 9, disc displacement in 5, and disc dislocation in 3 studies. The remaining studies evaluated other TMJ problems such as clicking, dull maxillofacial pains, ear pain, referred pain in teeth, and lockjaw. TMJ pain and ankylosis had the highest frequency among different TMJ problems. The most commonly adopted frequency of injections was 5 times as reported in 8 studies.

Conclusion: PRP and PRF had optimal efficacy for the reduction and resolution of TMD symptoms especially severe TMJ pain, ankylosis, disc displacement, and disc dislocation. PRP and PRF showed comparable efficacy for this purpose, and the efficacy of PRP and PRF injections for treatment of TMDs was considerably higher than other materials/methods such as chitosan, arthrocentesis, hyaluronic acid, isotonic saline, and hydrocortisone. Five injections appear to be efficient in achieving optimal therapeutic results.