Arthrocentesis Plus Injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: An Updated...

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine
• Pain Management

Background:

• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) causes chronic pain and impaired jaw movement, reducing quality of life.
• Arthrocentesis is a common treatment, but symptom resolution is often incomplete.
• Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) shows potential for regenerative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of arthrocentesis combined with i-PRF for symptomatic TMD.
• To conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across major databases (PubMed, Scopus, WoS, CENTRAL) up to May 2026.
• Included nine RCTs with 320 patients (374 joints) comparing arthrocentesis plus i-PRF to control interventions.
• Primary outcome: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain score change; Secondary outcomes: maximum mouth opening (MMO), lateral excursion, protrusive movement, and quality of life (QoL).

Main Results:

• Arthrocentesis with i-PRF significantly reduced VAS pain scores (MD -1.62, 95% CI: -2.28 to -0.96).
• Significant improvements observed in MMO (MD 5.03 mm), contralateral excursion (MD 0.94 mm), and protrusive movement (MD 1.08 mm).
• No significant differences found in lateral excursion or overall QoL.

Conclusions:

• Arthrocentesis combined with i-PRF effectively improves pain and mandibular function in TMD patients.
• i-PRF is a promising adjunctive therapy for minimally invasive TMD treatment.
• Larger RCTs with longer follow-up are needed to confirm long-term efficacy and standardize protocols.