Noninvasive interventions for temporomandibular disorders: a scoping review of systematic reviews from 2017 to 2022.

Objectives: This scoping review assessed systematic reviews on noninvasive temporomandibular disorder therapies to identify evidence gaps and formulate clinical recommendations.

Method and materials: The scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA scoping review guidelines and Joanna Briggs Institute updated scoping review methodology using a two-step process involving four reviewers. Four key databases (Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were thoroughly searched from January 2017 to December 2022. The selected systematic reviews were classified, charted, critically appraised, and synthesized.

Results: Of the initial 522 listings, 61 systematic reviews were eligible for inclusion, with the majority bearing very low- to low-quality evidence, and meta-analysis not being conducted in about a third of them. Moderate- to high-quality evidence was available for patient self-management, botulinum toxin, manual, laser, and splint therapy.

Conclusions: Further high-quality investigations with consistent patient selection, diagnostic criteria, treatment/assessment protocols, and outcome measures are needed to confirm the effectiveness of the various interventions for temporomandibular disorder pain/dysfunction.