Occlusal splint vs. modified NTI splint in bruxism therapy. Randomized, controlled trial using surface electromyography
Australian Dental Journal
Abstract
Background
An
occlusal splint and a modified nociceptive trigeminal inhibition splint
(AMPS, anterior deprogrammer, Kois deprogrammer, Lucia jig, etc.) are
commonly and quite frequently used in the treatment of masticatory
muscle disorders, although their sustainable and long-lasting effect on
these muscles’ function is still not very well known. Results of scant
surface electromyography studies in patients with temporomandibular
disorders have been contradictory.
Objective
To
evaluate both devices in bruxism therapy, EMG activity levels during
postural activity and maximum voluntary contraction of the superficial
temporal and masseter muscles were compared before and after 30 days of
treatment.
Study Design
Surface
electromyography of the examined muscles was performed in two groups of
bruxers (15 patients each). The patients in the first group used
occlusal splints, while those in the second used modified nociceptive
trigeminal inhibition splints. The trial was randomised, controlled, and
semi-blind.
Results
The
use of neither device affects the asymmetry index or postural
activity/maximum voluntary contraction ratio after one month of
treatment.
Conclusions
Neither
the occlusal nor the nociceptive trigeminal inhibition splint showed
any significant influence on the examined muscles. The use of different
scientific methods should be considered in clinical applications that
require either direct influence on the muscles’ bioelectrical activity
or a quantitative measurement of the treatment quality.
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