RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Trismus and subsequent restricted range of motion in the temporomandibular joint may impede vital activities of daily living. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of the current study was to explore the impact of muscle energy techniques on the range of temporomandibular motions in individuals with trismus and restricted range of the temporomandibular motions after third molar extraction surgery. METHODS: Eligible volunteers were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received muscle energy techniques over seven consecutive postoperative days, while those in the control group did not receive any intervention. Both groups adhered to the recommended postoperative healthcare protocol provided by a single dentist. The range of cardinal and linear intra-articular motions of the temporomandibular joint was assessed on the first, second and seventh postoperative days in each group using a vernier calliper and an ultrasound machine, respectively. RESULTS: The range of linear intra-articular motion (p-value < 0.001) and cardinal motion (p-value < 0.032) of the TMJ significantly increased within groups after the first postoperative week. The range of temporomandibular motions, except for the forward displacement of the mandibular condyle (p-value = 0.193), and the range of mandibular retrusion (p-value = 0.339) exhibited a significant difference between groups (p-value < 0.017) after the first postoperative week. CONCLUSION: The current study revealed, for the first time, that muscle energy techniques increase the range of cardinal and linear intra-articular motions in individuals with trismus and restricted range of the temporomandibular motions following third molar extraction surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials: IRCT20211016052783N1.