Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy in conjunction with arthrocentesis and dextrose prolotherapy alone in the management of symptomatic TMJ hypermobility.
Methods: Twenty-four patients suffering from TMJ symptomatic hypermobility received 10% dextrose injections for three sessions at four-week intervals. Twelve patients (P group) received prolotherapy alone; the other 12 (PA group) also underwent a single arthrocentesis session. Patients were evaluated for maximal incisal opening, maximal incisal opening without pain, pain at rest, pain during chewing function, TMJ sound, and locking episode frequency.
Results: Pain scores were significantly reduced in both groups, and the locking episode frequency was decreased to a greater extent in the PA than the P group, at both the short and long terms.
Conclusion: Prolotherapy is effective in the management of TMJ hypermobility. However, prolotherapy with arthrocentesis may be superior to prolotherapy alone in the management of TMJ hypermobility.
Keywords: Prolotherapy; arthrocentesis; temporomandibular joint.