Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mandibular exercises in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) diagnosed by Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD).
Method and materials: Thirty-two patients seeking clinical treatment for TMD were randomly assigned to groups based on the treatment modality: conservative therapy, including occlusal splint therapy and counseling; and mandibular exercises. Muscle and joint pain were assessed using a four-point scale (0 = no pain, 1 = mild pain, 2 = moderate pain, and 3 = severe pain). The maximum unassisted mouth opening (MUMO) was measured in millimeters, both with pain and pain-free. Outcomes were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after a 3-month intervention period (T1).
Results: Both treatments significantly reduced muscle and joint pain intensity at most assessed sites. The reduction in pain with mandibular exercises compared to conservative therapy was statistically significant at the right lateral pole of the temporomandibular joint (P = .048; rank-biserial correlation coefficient [rrb] = 0.348). After 3 months, mandibular exercises resulted in greater pain-free MUMO (T0 vs T1; P = .004; rrb = 0.594), and the increase in MUMO was greater than that observed with conservative therapy (P .001; rrb = 0.742).
Conclusion: Mandibular exercises and conservative therapy similarly reduced palpatory pain, with mandibular exercises showing greater clinical impact at the right lateral pole. Both treatments led to significant improvements in the masseter and temperomandibular joint pole. Mandibular exercises also provided superior, clinically meaningful gains in pain-free MUMO, positioning it as a preferred option when enhancing jaw mobility is a primary goal in TMD management.