Taşkesen, Fatih; Cezairli, Burak

Objective: To compare the comfort and anxiety levels of patients undergoing two different temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis techniques. Methods: Fifty female patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 25 based on the treatment modality: Group 1, single-puncture Type-1 arthrocentesis (SPA); Group 2, conventional double-puncture arthrocentesis (DPA). Preoperative and postoperative anxiety was scored with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-S (STAI-S) questionnaire. Blood pressure and heart rate were assessed preoperatively during the application of local anesthesia and at needle insertion into the joint cavity, the 5th and 10th minute of the procedure, and end of the procedure. Results: STAI-S scores were lower postoperative than preoperative in both groups. Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were highest during anesthesia and needle insertion (p < 0.005). Changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and STAI-S scores were statistically similar between the groups. Conclusion: DPA and SPA were tolerated similarly by the patients.

Taşkesen, Fatih; Cezairli, Burak

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy in conjunction with arthrocentesis and dextrose prolotherapy alone in the management of symptomatic TMJ hypermobility. Methods: Twenty-four patients suffering from TMJ symptomatic hypermobility received 10% dextrose injections for three sessions at four-week intervals. Twelve patients (P group) received prolotherapy alone; the other 12 (PA group) also underwent a single arthrocentesis session. Patients were evaluated for maximal incisal opening, maximal incisal opening without pain, pain at rest, pain during chewing function, TMJ sound, and locking episode frequency. Results: Pain scores were significantly reduced in both groups, and the locking episode frequency was decreased to a greater extent in the PA than the P group, at both the short and long terms. Conclusion: Prolotherapy is effective in the management of TMJ hypermobility. However, prolotherapy with arthrocentesis may be superior to prolotherapy alone in the management of TMJ hypermobility.

Taşkesen, Fatih; Cezairli, Burak

Objective: To compare the efficacy of three different treatment methods in the management of myofascial pain: masseteric nerve block (MNB), trigger point injection with local anesthetic (LA), and dry needling (DN). Methods: Forty-five patients diagnosed with myofascial pain and trigger points in masseter muscles were treated with MNB (n = 15), DN (n = 15), and trigger point injection with LA (n = 15). Pain on palpation (PoP), pain on function (PoF), and maximum mouth opening (MMO) scores were measured and compared before the injections and all follow-ups after the injections. Results: MMO values were significantly increased in each group. The decrease in PoF values was statistically significant between the groups at 12 weeks (baseline time period). Discussion: Results of the present study indicate that MNB was not as effective as trigger point injection with local anesthetic or dry-needling in the management of masticatory myofascial pain.