Comparison between the Prognosis of Temporomandibular Disorders with and without Accompanying Otologic Symptoms after Non-Invasive Non-Pharmacological Treatment: Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract

Background: Otologic symptoms are commonly reported by patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the likely outcome or progression of temporomandibular disorders with and without accompanying otologic symptoms when treated in the dental clinic.

Methods: The study is registered under the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN49976724, DOI: 10.1186/ISRCTN49976724. Forty patients with temporomandibular disorders were included and allocated into two groups: Control group (n=20): isolated temporomandibular disorders symptoms, and Experimental group (n=20): temporomandibular disorders symptoms with otologic symptoms (confirmed by otorhinolaryngological evaluation to exclude primary ear pathology). All participants underwent non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment. The treatment contained physiotherapy and custom-made occlusal splints. Outcomes (full/partial/no recovery) were assessed at 3 months by a single maxillofacial surgeon, with follow-up every 3 weeks. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test and odds ratios.

Results: Fisher's exact test revealed a statistically significant association between group allocation and recovery outcomes (χ2=5.979, p=0.041). The odds ratio was 5.33.

Conclusion: The presence of otological symptoms accompanying temporomandibular disorders might predict a better prognosis after non-invasive, non-pharmacological treatment, perhaps not as a direct predictor per se but as a confounding factor.