Age, gender and parafunctional habits as prognostic factors for temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis.

Objective: Arthrocentesis is an effective procedure for management of symptomatic patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWOR), but its prognostic factors are still under investigation.

Methods: Thirty-six patients with ADDWOR underwent arthrocentesis of the TMJ and hyaluronic acid injection. They were divided into groups based on three prognostic factors: Age, gender, and the presence of parafunctional habits. The procedure outcome (success or failure) was based on pre-set criteria for improvement in pain and maximum mouth opening (MMO) one month preoperatively.

Results: Patients with parafunctional habits had a lower success rate than patients without these habits. Interesting trends were noted with age and gender as prognostic factors for arthrocentesis for patients with ADDWOR.

Conclusion: Arthrocentesis is an effective management method for symptomatic patients with ADDWOR at one-month post treatment, especially in the absence of parafunctional habits.