Objective To assess the effectiveness of intraarticular injection of hyaluronate (HA) on temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Methods Searching various databases available, handsearching 15 Chinese dental journals to find articles, abstracts and unpublished literature with randomized or quasi-randomized design on the effects of intraarticular injection of HA on TMD.Data extraction, appraisal, and the methods for Meta-analysis were conducted based on the Cochrane guidelines. Results 12 RCTs and 2 CCT on TMD and 1 RCT on rheumatoid arthritis involving temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were located, 10 of them fulfilled inclusion criteria in which 561 patients were reported.Except 71 cases with only qualitative data, 490 cases could be calculated in Meta-analysis: 277 on HA, 113 on placebo or non-treatment (PL) and 100 on corticosteroids (CO). In comparison with PL, HA injection showed no statistically significant effect on short and long term improvement of symptoms, and short term improvement of VAS as well. But it presented significant better effects than PL in short and long term improvement of clinical signs, especially mouth opening. When sensitivity analysis was conducted for improvement of short term signs, the conclusion was not stable. Comparison of the effect between HA and CO showed the same efficacy levels. Adverse reactions of HA were mild and transient. Conclusions HA may improve short and long term clinical signs of TMD and have only mild and transient adverse reactions. However, more RCTs are needed to confirm its therapeutic effect.