Purpose: To summarise the evidence on the effectiveness of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Outcomes of interest were measurable pain scales and functional outcomes.
Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted in three electronic databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and PEDro) to identify all the systematic reviews and meta-analyses that met the inclusion criteria.
Results: Twenty-one articles were included, 11 of which reported a meta-analysis. In 16 articles, the administration HA injections (with or without arthrocentesis/arthroscopy) was the main intervention being evaluated. Five studies compared other injection therapies with intra-articular injections of HA.
Conclusions: The included studies revealed an upward trend in the use of minimally invasive techniques in TMDs. The majority of these studies supported the use of HA injections, with or without arthrocentesis/arthroscopy.
