Uso de la magnetoterapia como una alternativa en el tratamiento de disfunción en la articulación temporomandibular.

Abstract

Introduction: Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a common musculoskeletal disorder with multifactorial etiology that causes orofacial pain and functional limitations. In recent years, magnetotherapy has been considered a non-invasive alternative with analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative effects. Objective: To analyze the available scientific evidence on magnetotherapy as a therapeutic alternative for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, identifying its clinical efficacy, comparison with other non-invasive treatments, and main research limitations. Methodology: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO were consulted, including studies published between 2014 and 2025 in English and Spanish. Systematic reviews, clinical trials, and experimental studies evaluating magnetotherapy in TMD were included. Results: Twenty studies were included. Most reported significant reduction in pain, improvements in mandibular opening, and positive effects on tissue regeneration. Magnetotherapy showed better results when combined with physical therapy or other conservative modalities. However, some studies showed no differences compared to placebo, and methodological limitations were identified. Conclusions: Magnetotherapy is a promising, safe, non-invasive alternative for the treatment of TMD, especially when used in multimodal protocols. Despite the clinical benefits observed, there remain gaps in knowledge regarding parameter standardization, patient subtyping, and the need for clinical trials with greater methodological rigor. Keywords: temporomandibular joint dysfunction, magnetotherapy, pulsed electromagnetic fields, orofacial pain, physical therapy