Traditional chinese medicine and temporomandibular disorders management: a review

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular Disorders is a prevalent disease affecting a large population worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine, as a part of complementary alternative medicine, has been used in treating TMDs for thousands of years in the Chinese society and being postulated beneficial. The aim of this article is to review the possible mechanisms and effectiveness of various TCM approaches in treating TMDs. Methods: Literatures in English and Chinese including clinical trials with sample randomization and control groups and basic scientific studies were analysed. Conclusions: The most common TCM treatment modalities in treating TMDs include acupuncture, moxibustion with or without acupuncture and medicated compress. A review of these TCM treatment modalities showed that possible beneficial effects existed in TMDs management. Acupuncture seems to be the most evidenced based treatment modality among the three and being investigated the most. However, due to a lack of evidence based studies, more scientific and rigorous randomised controlled clinical trials are needed to further evaluate TCM's safety, efficacy and effectiveness.