Efficacy of Arthrocentesis on pain and mouth opening in the treatment of Temporomandibular Joint -TMJ- internal derangements: a 2-year retrospective clinical evaluation

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of arthrocentesis on pain and mouth opening in the treatment of TMJ internal derangement (disc displacement without reduction). Methods: Twenty-four patients were included in this study, knowing that they have TMJ derangement and treatment with TMJ arthrocentesis. The study was carried out in a dental specialized private clinic in Beirut, Lebanon, between February 2009 and June 2011. Results: Twenty patients were selected. Arthrocentesis showed a significant reduction in pain and an increase in maximal mouth opening at the follow-up (p 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, arthrocentesis proved to be an effective method in reducing pain and increasing maximum mouth opening (MMO) in patients with TMJ internal derangement.