Ivan Hristov Arabadzhiev*, Carsten Nix
Introduction: Numerous patients experience acute temporomandibular (TMJ) pain. The first therapeutic action to be undertaken should be pain relief as ongoing diagnostics like Ultrasound, X-Rays and 3D Imaging need longer time to be completed. The first line medication should be able to reduce significantly the pain with minor risk of side effects and should be applicable for most of the patients. This article presents a sample of patients treated topically with 5% diclofenac gel.
Materials and methods: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used as measuring tool for the purpose of collection and comparing of the pain. Pain score was documented prior and after short therapy with topically applied diclofenac gel. The data collected from 18 patients with acute TMJ pain was analysed and two tailed T-test was performed.
Results: The performed two tailed t-test showed that the pain reduction was statistically significant. No side effects were reported.
Conclusion: The topical diclofenac gel therapy for TMJ pain on palpation could be used as first line medication further research should be done and higher level of evidence is necessary.