# Surgical treatment of intracapsular temporomandibular disorders

## TL;DR

This study compares surgical and conservative treatments for TMJ disorders, finding that surgery provides better improvements in joint function and pain reduction.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence supporting surgical intervention over conservative methods for intracapsular TMJ disorders.

## Key findings

- Surgical intervention significantly improved joint function and reduced pain in patients with disc displacement.
- Conservative treatments showed limited effectiveness, mainly improving joint effusion and disc displacement.
- Orthodontic rehabilitation is recommended to optimize long-term TMJ function after surgery.

## Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pathologies are prevalent, affecting approximately 40% of the worldwide population, with nearly 80% involving intracapsular disorders. Despite this, standardized treatment protocols are lacking. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of conservative and surgical approaches in managing intracapsular TMJ disorders.

Eighty-six patients diagnosed with intracapsular TMJ disorders were included in the study, with 40 males and 46 females, averaging 52.4 ± 4.7 years. Patients were recruited from polyclinics in Beijing, China (n = 36), and Kyiv, Ukraine (n = 50). A comprehensive examination protocol was conducted, including assessment of patient complaints, medical history, jaw mobility measurements, TMJ palpation, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening.

The main outcomes of our study revealed significant improvements in patients undergoing surgical intervention for intracapsular TMJ disorders, particularly in cases of disc displacement. Conservative mouth guard/occlusal splint treatment showed limited effectiveness, primarily improving joint effusion and disc displacement. Surgical intervention led to notable enhancements in various TMJ parameters, with significant improvements observed in joint function and pain reduction. Based on these findings, orthodontic rehabilitation was recommended to ensure long-term efficacy, focusing on optimizing occlusion and restoring TMJ function. These results highlight the importance of tailored treatment approaches for managing intracapsular TMJ disorders, emphasizing the role of surgical intervention coupled with comprehensive rehabilitation strategies.

Future research should consider demographic factors and explore innovative examination methods, such as optical systems, to enhance understanding and management of intracapsular TMJ disorders.