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NCT Number: NCT07745660

Magnesium Sulfate After TMJ Arthrocentesis

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthrocentesis is a well-established minimally invasive treatment for patients with TMJ arthralgia and internal derangement. Although intra-articular hyaluronic acid is frequently administered following arthrocentesis to improve pain relief and joint function, evidence regarding the efficacy of intra-articular magnesium sulfate remains limited. Magnesium sulfate has demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties through N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism and modulation of calcium influx; however, its clinical use in TMJ disorders has not been adequately investigated.

This investigator-initiated, single-center, three-arm randomized controlled pilot trial was conducted to compare the clinical effectiveness and safety of intra-articular magnesium sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and normal saline administered after TMJ arthrocentesis in patients diagnosed with TMJ arthralgia according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD).

The primary outcome was the change in chewing pain measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 4 weeks. Secondary outcomes included maximum mouth opening, Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8), Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Graded Chronic Pain Scale version 2.0 (GCPS v2.0), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), analgesic consumption, and adverse events.

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Key information

Conditions

Temporomandibular Joint Arthralgia Temporomandibular Joint Disc Displacement

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Dentistry

İpekyolu, Van, 65100, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are among the most common causes of chronic orofacial pain and functional limitation. Arthrocentesis is considered an effective minimally invasive treatment for patients with persistent TMJ arthralgia who do not respond adequately to conservative therapy. In addition to mechanical lavage of inflammatory mediators, several intra-articular agents have been investigated to enhance postoperative recovery and improve clinical outcomes. Hyaluronic acid is widely used because of its viscoelastic, lubricating, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Magnesium sulfate has attracted increasing interest because of its analgesic effects mediated primarily through NMDA receptor antagonism, modulation of calcium influx, and reduction of peripheral sensitization. Although beneficial effects have been reported in several musculoskeletal and postoperative pain conditions, evidence regarding intra-articular magnesium sulfate administration in temporomandibular joint disorders remains scarce.

This investigator-initiated, single-center, randomized controlled pilot trial was designed to compare intra-articular magnesium sulfate with hyaluronic acid and normal saline following TMJ arthrocentesis. Adult patients diagnosed with TMJ arthralgia according to DC/TMD criteria were randomly allocated to one of three parallel treatment groups. Arthrocentesis was performed using a standardized single-needle upper joint compartment technique, followed by administration of the allocated intra-articular agent.

The primary endpoint was the change in chewing pain measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 4 weeks. Secondary endpoints included maximum mouth opening, Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 (JFLS-8), Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), Graded Chronic Pain Scale version 2.0 (GCPS v2.0), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), analgesic consumption, and treatment-related adverse events. The study was designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of magnesium sulfate as a potential adjunctive intra-articular treatment following TMJ arthrocentesis.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Age between 18 and 65 years. Diagnosis of temporomandibular joint arthralgia and/or painful disc displacement with reduction or disc displacement without reduction with limited opening according to DC/TMD Axis I criteria.

Predominantly unilateral temporomandibular joint symptoms lasting for at least 6 weeks.

Resting or chewing-related pain intensity of at least 4 on a 0-10 Visual Analog Scale.

Clinical indication for temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis. Ability to understand and complete the Turkish-language questionnaires. Provision of written informed consent. -

Exclusion criteria

Active local or systemic infection. Advanced degenerative temporomandibular joint disease, defined by clinical crepitus together with advanced imaging findings or Wilkes stage IV-V disease.

Intra-articular injection within the previous 3 months. Temporomandibular joint arthroscopy or open joint surgery within the previous 6 months.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Coagulopathy or use of anticoagulant medication that could not be discontinued. Known hypersensitivity to any of the study agents. Severe psychiatric disorder or any condition preventing completion of the study questionnaires.

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Treatment and study plan

Magnesium Sulfate Group → Experimental

Drug

After completion of standardized single-needle temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis using 100-150 mL of normal saline, a single 1 mL intra-articular injection containing 100 mg of magnesium sulfate was administered into the upper joint compartment. The solution was prepared by diluting 0.67 mL of 15% magnesium sulfate with 0.33 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Drug

After completion of standardized single-needle temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis using 100-150 mL of normal saline, participants received a single intra-articular injection of 20 mg hyaluronic acid in a total volume of 1 mL into the upper joint compartment.

Other names: Ostenil

Normal Saline (0.9% Sodium Chloride)

Drug

After completion of standardized single-needle temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis using 100-150 mL of normal saline, participants received a single 1 mL intra-articular injection of 0.9% sodium chloride into the upper joint compartment.

Other names: Normal Saline

Primary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in Temporomandibular Joint Pain During Chewing at Week 4

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 4 (±5 days)

    Temporomandibular joint pain during chewing was assessed using an 11-point Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Change was calculated by comparing the Week 4 score with the baseline score. A greater reduction indicates greater improvement.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change From Baseline in Resting Temporomandibular Joint Pain Intensity

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1 (Day 7 ±2 days), Week 4 (±5 days), and Week 12 (±10 days)

    Resting temporomandibular joint pain was assessed using an 11-point Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate less pain.

  2. Change From Baseline in Temporomandibular Joint Pain During Chewing at Week 1 and Week 12

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1 (Day 7 ±2 days), and Week 12 (±10 days)

    Temporomandibular joint pain during chewing was assessed using an 11-point Visual Analog Scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Lower scores indicate less pain.

  3. Change From Baseline in Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8 Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, and Week 12

    Jaw-related functional limitation was assessed using the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale-8. The summary score was calculated according to the validated scoring instructions. Higher scores indicate greater functional limitation.

  4. Change From Baseline in Oral Health Impact Profile-14 Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 12

    Oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14. Higher scores indicate poorer oral health-related quality of life.

  5. Change From Baseline in Maximum Mouth Opening

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, Week 4, and Week 12

    Maximum mouth opening was measured in millimeters between the incisal edges of the maxillary and mandibular central incisors. Higher values indicate greater mouth opening.

  6. Change in Graded Chronic Pain Scale Version 2.0 Classification

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

    Chronic pain severity and pain-related disability were evaluated using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale version 2.0. Changes in chronic pain classification between baseline and Week 12 were assessed.

  7. Change From Baseline in Patient Health Questionnaire-4 Score

    Time frame: Baseline and Week 12

    ymptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Higher scores indicate greater psychological distress.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Yuzuncu Yil University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of Intra-Articular Magnesium Sulfate Compared With Hyaluronic Acid and Saline Following Temporomandibular Joint Arthrocentesis: A Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: MAGART

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 4, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 4, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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