No abstract

No abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the facial side of pain or clicking symptoms and the side of occlusal interference, and to examine the features of pain and clicking patients in terms of frequencies of occlusal interferences in relation to the symptomatic side. Occlusal conditions in 31 pain patients and 40 clicking patients were investigated just after the relief of pain or clicking solely by means of bite plane therapy. The symptomatic side did not associate with the side of fewer occlusal contacts in intercuspal position, no canine contact on the working side, occlusal contact on the non-working side, or unilateral contact in retruded contact position. The results of this study suggest that pain or clicking does not necessarily tend to appear on the side of these occlusal interferences. Additionally, characteristic inclination for pain and clicking patients in terms of frequencies of occlusal interferences in relation to the symptomatic side was not identified.

Bruxism has been suggested as an initiating or perpetuating factor in a certain subgroup of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), however, the exact association between bruxism and TMD remains unclear. This study aimed to demonstrate the difference in responses between bruxism and a subgroup of TMD to a full-arch maxillary stabilization splint from the standpoint of an occlusal condition. This study was conducted to verify the null hypothesis that there were no differences between bruxer groups with and without myofascial pain (MFP) with respect to the changes in occlusal conditions after the use of a splint. Thirty bruxers with MFP and 30 without MFP participated. Occlusal conditions were examined before and after splint therapy, and occlusal changes following the use of a splint were compared between the two groups. The frequency of occlusal changes after splint therapy was significantly higher in the MFP bruxer group than the non-MFP bruxer group (p < 0.05) for the occlusal conditions investigated in the present study. However, no statistical differences were found with regard to each occlusal condition. This result may show the variety of splint effects and may demonstrate a heterogeneous aspect to bruxism and myofascial pain.

When the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are present, it is possible that occlusal conditions and mandibular movements are changed. Accordingly, the presence of occlusal interferences may be misjudged. It is therefore reasonable to consider that occlusal conditions should be examined just after the relief of symptoms. The comparison of occlusal conditions in 52 temparomandibular joint (TMJ) pain patients and 27 muscle pain patients with that in 60 asymptomatic controls was made. Occlusal examination in the patients was administered just after the relief of pain by bite plane therapy alone. The only occlusal factor which was associated with pain symptoms was no canine contact on the working side on laterotrusion. It is suggested therefore that further studies as regards this type of interference should be performed.