Autogenous Injections in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Regenerative Medicine
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass diverse musculoskeletal conditions affecting the jaw joint and muscles.
• Autogenous injections are emerging as minimally invasive treatments for TMD pain and dysfunction.
• The efficacy of these therapies across various TMD types requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the clinical effectiveness of autogenous injections for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
• To evaluate the impact of treatments on pain reduction and functional improvement in TMD patients.

Main Methods:

• Conducted comprehensive literature searches in major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science) from January 2015 to May 2025.
• Included studies on intra-articular or intra-muscular autogenous injections for TMD.
• Assessed study quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 and JBI Critical Appraisal Tools.

Main Results:

• Thirteen studies (6 RCTs, 7 non-randomized) met the criteria, focusing on intra-articular conditions and myofascial pain.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) was the most studied agent, demonstrating significant pain reduction and improved mandibular mobility.
• PRP generally showed superior outcomes compared to hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids, and saline, with no serious adverse events reported.

Conclusions:

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) injections appear effective for alleviating TMD pain and enhancing mobility.
• Variations in treatment protocols and follow-up durations limit definitive conclusions and prevent meta-analysis.
• Standardized randomized controlled trials are essential for establishing clear clinical guidelines for autogenous injection therapies in TMD management.