Double puncture versus single puncture arthrocentesis for the management of unilateral temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction: A randomized controlled trial

Purpose

To compare the clinical efficacy of the conventional double puncture versus single puncture type 2 arthrocentesis for management of temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction (DDWOR).

Materials and methods

Twenty-six patients with DDWOR were randomly and blindly allocated into two treatment groups (N = 13): Group 1, conventional double puncture arthrocentesis; Group 2, single puncture type 2 arthrocentesis. Data on gender, side of painful joint complaint, age (years), duration of joint pain (months), maximum interincisal distance (MID – mm), and pain intensity self-reported with a visual analog scale (VAS; 0–10) were collected. VAS scores and MID were measured before (baseline) and 6 months after arthrocentesis (final).

Results

Both techniques resulted in significantly reduced VAS scores and increased MID (p = 0.001) after 180 days. However, there were no statistically significant differences between techniques (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The two arthrocentesis methods tested were effective in reducing VAS scores and increasing MID in patients with DDWOR.