Soft versus hard occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs)
Abstract
Aim
To
compare between soft and hard occlusal splint therapy for the
management of myofacial pain dysfunction (MPD) or internal derangement
(ID) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with reciprocal clicking.
Patients and methods
This
study included 50 patients (age range: 24–47 years) who had been
diagnosed with MPD or ID of the TMJ in the form of reciprocal clicking.
Patients were divided into two groups. They were treated for 4 months
with either a vacuum-formed soft occlusal splint constructed from
2-mm-thick elastic rubber sheets (soft splint group) or a hard flat
occlusal splint fabricated from transparent acrylic resin (hard splint
group). Monthly follow-up visits were performed during the treatment
period. Before treatment and 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after treatment, the
dentist measured all parameters of TMJ function (pain visual analog
scores, tenderness of masticatory muscles, clicking and tenderness of
the TMJ, and range of mouth opening).
Results
All
parameters of TMJ function showed significant improvement in both
groups during the follow-up period, with a statistically significant
difference between the two groups at the 4-month follow-up visit.
Conclusions
Both
forms of occlusal splints (soft and hard) improved TMJ symptoms in
patients with MPD or ID of the TMJ. However, the soft occlusal splints
exhibited superior results after 4 months of use.
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