Comparative Efficacy of Analgesic Gel Phonophoresis and Ultrasound in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Abstract

Background: TMDs are common musculoskeletal problems that cause joint discomfort, restricted mandibular movement, and functional impairment. Non-invasive TMD treatments like ultrasound and phonophoresis are promising.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of analgesic gel phonophoresis and ultrasound therapy in reducing pain and improving mandibular function in TMD patients.

Methods: Six months were spent on a narrative evaluation at the Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences. Using keywords, results were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library. We compared ultrasound and phonophoresis for TMD treatment.

Results: The review demonstrated that both therapies effectively reduced pain and improved function. However, analgesic gel phonophoresis showed superior outcomes in terms of pain relief, mandibular mobility, and longer-lasting effects compared to ultrasound therapy alone. No significant adverse effects were reported in either modality.

Conclusion: Analgesic gel phonophoresis is more effective than ultrasound therapy in TMD management, offering faster and sustained relief. Further large-scale clinical trials are recommended to validate these findings.