A study depicted that dextrose prolotherapy is superior to occlusal splints in alleviating pain and improving mouth clicking and opening in patients having temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

A randomized controlled trial was carried to investigate the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy compared to occlusal splints in managing individuals with internal derangement of temporomandibular joint classed as Wilkes stages II or III.

The study cohort included 34 subjects with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Individuals were randomly allocated to either the dextrose prolotherapy (n=17) group or the occlusal splints (n=17) group. Utilizing the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index, various outcome parameters like pain, mouth opening, clicking, and deviation were determined for a review period of one year.

A greater number of patients treated with dextrose prolotherapy reported a complete absence of pain when compared to patients treated with occlusal splints (9 vs 1). As found, subjects receiving dextrose prolotherapy displayed better mitigation of pain, and improved mouth opening and clicking. 

Figure 1: Comparison of pain between the study and control groups

However, no vital difference in deviation was noted between the cohorts after one year. Thus, prolotherapy offers long-term relief of symptoms and thus should be considered in individuals with internal derangement of temporomandibular joint prior to any surgical intervention.