Effectiveness of Conservative Therapies for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Systematic Review

Pooja K. Nidhi, Sindhura K Prasanth

Abstract: Common musculoskeletal problems known as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) result in pain, restricted jaw movement, and a lower standard of living. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of non-surgical treatment approaches for TMDs, such as manual therapy, exercise therapy, physiotherapy, and muscle energy methods (MET). A thorough search for research published between 2000 and 2025 was done in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Eight of the 243 studies that were found satisfied the requirements for inclusion. The findings indicated that non-surgical treatments significantly reduced pain, increased mandibular mobility, and improved functional outcomes. Combination therapies, such as exercise therapy with manual therapy or MET, produced better results than single interventions. Physiotherapy-based and personalized approaches achieved greater pain relief and improved jaw function. Epidemiological data have shown that TMDs are more common in females aged 20?40 years, with myogenic dysfunction and disc displacement being the most frequent forms. Despite differences in study design and treatment duration, evidence supports nonsurgical management as a safe, effective, and affordable first-line treatment for TMDs. The small sample sizes and brief follow-up times, however, emphasize the necessity of additional long-term, high-quality randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.

Keywords: Temporomandibular Dysfunction, nonsurgical treatments, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, manual therapy

How to Cite?: Pooja K. Nidhi, Sindhura K Prasanth, "Effectiveness of Conservative Therapies for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Systematic Review", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 316-321, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=MR251204201150, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/MR251204201150