title: A case series of temporomandibular disorders treated with acupuncture, occlusal splint and point injection therapy.
abstract: A treatment regime combining acupuncture, occlusal splint and point injection therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is presented. There were 89 consecutive patients treated by the regime in this case series but four patients dropped out after two to three visits. Data and treatment results of the remaining 85 patients who had treatment completed were analysed. It was found that 73 (85%) of patients with TMD had symptoms relieved within six visits under this regime. Complications were rare and minor. Acupuncture treatment, in combination with splint therapy and point injection therapy, appears to be effective for managing TMD. However, further research, using randomised controlled trials should be conducted to ascertain its effectiveness over other treatment modalities.
authors.affiliation: Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery and Dental Unit, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong. wykj@graduate.hku.hk
authors.forename: Yiu-kai
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome