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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Eur J Dent 2020; 14(04): 692-696
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716631
Case Report

Acupuncture in Temporomandibular Disorders Painful Symptomatology: An Evidence-Based Case Report

Lia Dietrich
1   Department of Operative Dentistry and Dental Materials, Biomechanics Research Group, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
2   Department of Operative Dentistry and Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas, Brazil
,
Igor Vinícius Santos Rodrigues
1   Department of Operative Dentistry and Dental Materials, Biomechanics Research Group, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
,
Marcelo Dias Moreira de Assis Costa
4   Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas, Brazil
5   Department of Operative Dentistry and Dental Materials, Biomechanics Research Group, School of Dentistry, CEUMA University/Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
,
Roberta Furtado Carvalho
5   Department of Operative Dentistry and Dental Materials, Biomechanics Research Group, School of Dentistry, CEUMA University/Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
,
Gisele Rodrigues da Silva
1   Department of Operative Dentistry and Dental Materials, Biomechanics Research Group, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.
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Abstract

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is complex and multifactorial. Its etiology involves various factors, such as malocclusion, psychological patterns, parafunctional habits, and the temporomandibular joint anatomy. Symptoms include myofascial pain, joint clicking, mouth opening limitation, headaches, earaches, and neck pain, comprising one of the greatest causes of nondental pain. Acupuncture has been used to treat these conditions by acting locally both in muscle relaxation and pain management as well as reaching physical, mental, and emotional balance. The aim of this study is to present a brief literature review reporting the efficacy of acupuncture on TMDs and a case report in which the painful symptomatology of TMD was treated with a systemic protocol, based on scientific evidence and concepts of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture may be a complementary treatment for TMD, and in this case report, it eliminated the patient’s painful symptomatology.

Keywords

acupuncture - case report - tempormandibular dysfunction - traditional Chinese medicine


Publication History

Article published online:
01 October 2020

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