Evaluation of the 3 mm Thickness Splint Therapy on Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs)

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed at finding out whether the 3 mm thickness of stabilization splints has positive or negative effects on all temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Materials and Methods. The statistical calculation included 25 (22 females; 3 males) TMD patients who received 3 mm thickness stabilization splint therapy. They were evaluated according to follow-up treatment period, TMD pain, muscle pain, mouth opening, diet score, and splint usage time per day. Results. There was important treatment success that 22 (88%) of patients were totally healed. There was not any remarkable effect or advancement of splints on total healings of TMDs in first 3 months' period (11/25 patients, 44%). The mouth opening mean reached 38, 67 mm at 6 months and 41 mm at 12 months with remarkable success. Except one (4%) patient, other 24 (96%) patients had a normal diet score of 3 at the end of splint therapy. There was no correlation between splint usage duration a day and total healing of TMDs. Conclusion. We conclude that 3 mm splint therapy should maintain at least 6 months to achieve remarkable results. Splint should be used at least 12 h a day consistent with our results. Finally, diet score should be incorporated with TMD pain and amount of mouth opening; hence, we advise to use in one term as “total healing.”

Short-Term Effects of Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Administration in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

“…Akbulut et al [31] showed much higher effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy, which resulted in pain relief and a significant increase in mandibular opening in 88% patients (n = 25). However, those authors admitted that during the first three months, they did not observe any significant effects of treatment with occlusal splints.…”

“…Akbulut et al [31] defined the term "total healing" of TMD as simultaneous elimination of pain and normalization of opening amplitude. In their evaluation, however, they omitted an important indicator-the opening pathway.…”

<p>Temporomandibular disorders: improving outcomes using a multidisciplinary approach</p>

“…This controversy arises in all fields of confection and adjustment. Thus, there is no agreement on whether occlusal traces should be missing or not, the location of the anterior guide, their thickness or whether they should be of rigid or soft material 86–8889 especially in cases of bruxism;76 however, some authors argue that soft splints are faster and are as effective in relieving symptoms as hard splints 90…”

Application of a systematic protocol in the treatment of TMDs with occlusal appliances: Effectiveness and efficiency in a longitudinal retrospective study with medium-term follow up

“…Occlusal splints are the most common therapy among conservative treatments, and they share common therapeutic principles, such as reduction of joint load, muscle rest, and normalization of mandibular movements. [511] However, there are no clearly defined guidelines in terms of choice and applied methods of occlusal devices in scientific literature. A recent meta-analysis conducted by Kuzmanovic Pficer[12] examined several studies performed on occlusal splints over the years.…”