The Use of Mechanotherapy in Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery (Literature Review)

This review article discusses various methods of applying mechanotherapy in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders. It analyzes data from both domestic and international scientific works related to the use of mechanotherapy in the comprehensive treatment of internal temporomandibular joint disorders. Key developments related to this treatment method are also highlighted, along with evidence confirming the effectiveness of mechanotherapy in treating internal disorders of the temporomandibular joint. Subject of the study – Investigation of the use of mechanotherapy in combination with arthrocentesis for internal temporomandibular joint disorders. Objective of the study – To improve the treatment effectiveness for patients with internal temporomandibular joint disorders by applying the proposed mechanotherapy technique in combination with arthrocentesis. Methodology. Russian-language (E-Library, Cyberleninka) and English-language (PubMed/MEDLINE, ClinicalKey, Elsevier, Google Scholar) scientific literature databases were used for information retrieval. A total of 38 relevant articles were reviewed, including 20 international studies. To study the sources of heterogeneity, a subgroup analysis was conducted. Results. The analysis of the obtained data revealed a high effectiveness of mechanotherapy in the treatment of masticatory muscle contractures, mandibular fractures, osteoarthritis, ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint, and internal temporomandibular joint disorders. Conclusions. The use of mechanotherapy enhances treatment outcomes in various temporomandibular joint diseases, including masticatory muscle contractures, osteoarthritis, ankylosis, and internal temporomandibular joint disorders. Mechanotherapy is used to reduce local ischemia, stimulate proprioception, break down fibrous adhesions, stimulate synovial fluid production, and reduce pain in internal temporomandibular joint disorders. However, the differences in statistically significant results from various authors, as well as the insufficient study of the role of mechanotherapy in combination with other treatment methods, indicate the need for improvement of mechanotherapy techniques and increasing their effectiveness.