PHARMACOLOGIC THERAPY IN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS

The temporomandibular disorders (TMD) etiology is multifactorial and it affects the most important functions, such as eating, speaking, and facial expressions, and are usually accompanied by pain which results in distress for the patient. Despite the extensive studies in the management of TMD, which is commonly a multidisciplinary approach and the most commonly used steroidal or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, myorelaxant, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants and anxiolytics have been proven to be successful for related inflammatory, disc interference disorders only and neuropathic pain, but are still not an appropriate solution for definitive treatments and still carries risk due to their side effect profiles. Taking this into consideration there is still an emerging need to investigate the main pharmacological approaches for the appropriate management of the resulting acute and chronic pain. In this regard, many studies have been conducted so far to provide the role of pharmacotherapy on TMD. Therefore, in this review, we have summarized the current scientific evidence which supports the most common available safe, and effective drug treatments in the TMD