ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Italian Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery 2010 December;21(3):123-32

Copyright © 2011 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of methylsulfonylmethane and Boswellia serrata extracts in TMJ degenerative disorders: a clinical and MRI pilot study

Castroflorio T., Di Giosia M., Turatti G., Giordano M.

¹ Studio Associato Icardi Castroflorio Odontoiatri, Turin, Italy 2 School of Orthodontics, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy 3 Department of Dentistry and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Martini Hospital, Turin, Italy

Aim. Functional or parafunctional loading may elicit adaptive and ultimately even degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a dietary supplement used as a single agent or in combination with other substances, like Boswellia Serrata extracts (BS), to improve signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods. Thirty subjects with TMJ OA pain were enrolled. The adopted therapy was with naproxen 500 mg BID for two weeks to reduce pain and then conventional dental treatment (CT) for OA and MSM/BS 9 g was carried on once a day in the study group or with CT alone in the control group for 22 weeks.
Results. Compared to control group MSM/BS showed similar results in VAS pain scores, better maximum mandibular opening (P<0.05) and an improved MRI diagnosis after 24 weeks (P<0.05).
Conclusion. MSM/BS seems to improve articular structures in subjects suffering from TMJ OA without major adverse events. Underlying mechanisms of action need further investigations.