The effect of prolotherapy on TMJ: a literature review

Kwon, Jung-Wook; Hyun, Seung-Chul; Kim, Dong-Hyuck; Lee, Eui-Seok; Lim, Ho-Kyung

doi:2023.61.13.845

J Korean Dent Assoc > Volume 61(13); 2023 > Article

REVIEW ARTICLE

The Journal of The Korean Dental Association 2023;61(13):845-851.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.22974/jkda.2023.61.13.002 Published online December 31, 2023.

턱관절 장애 환자에서 턱관절 증식치료 (Prolotherapy)의 효과 : 문헌고찰

권정욱

고려대학교 구로병원 구강악안면외과

The effect of prolotherapy on TMJ: a literature review

Jung-Wook Kwon

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Correspondence: Ho-Kyung Lim, Tel: 82-2-2626-1523, Fax: 82-2-2626-2024,
Email: ungassi@naver.com

Received: 7 September 2023 • Revised: 11 September 2023 • Accepted: 23 November 2023

Abstract

This paper reviewed prolotherapy as an approach to treating temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), focusing on temporomandibular joint subluxation and hypermobility. Prolotherapy, commonly used in orthopedics, involves injecting substances like dextrose or lidocaine to promote healing in musculoskeletal conditions. Clinical studies in which this prolotherapy was used for TMD were reviewed. Total 13 papers involving 372 patients (Male 90, Female 282) were examined, considering factors such as dextrose concentration (10%~50%), injection frequency (one to four times), injection period (one to four weeks) and injection sites. The assessment primarily focused on pain reduction and changes in maximum mouth opening after prolotherapy. In all papers, a consistent trend of pain reduction after prolotherapy was observed. Regarding maximum mouth opening, there were 6 cases of decreased range and 7 cases of increased range. With prolotherapy's rec-ognition as a new medical technology for TMD, it emerges as a potential alternative treatment, highlighting its significance in the field.

Key Words: Temporomandibular joint disorder; Prolotherapy; Dextrose