Objectives: Occlusal splints may be beneficial in the treatment of TMD, but the evidence based on randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) is scarce (Forssell et al.1999). As part of a study concerning secondary otalgia and TMD we wanted to test the effect of a stabilization splint in subjects with TMD treatment need in a double-blind study set-up. Methods: Altogether 36 subjects diagnosed as having active treatment need for TMD (Kuttila 1998) including muscular, arthrogenous or combined signs and symptoms, gave their consent to participate in the study. None of the subjects had earlier received treatment for TMD. The subjects were randomly assigned into a treatment group (stabilization splint) or a control group (non-occluding palatal splint, Ekberg et al.1998). Two subjects interrupted the trial. Of the remaining 34 subjects, 18 subjects with a stabilization splint (5 men, 13 women, mean age 45 years) and 16 subjects with a control splint (10 men and 6 women, mean age 48 years) continued throughout the 10 weeksx test period with the splint in night-time use. At the end of the treatment period the subjects were re-examined blindly and TMD treatment need assessed. Results: In the stabilization splint group 13 out of 18 were no longer in need of treatment for TMD, while the corresponding figures for the control splint group were 6 out of 16. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=0.045, Fisherxs exact test). The mean number of muscles tender to palpation as well as the number of subjects with four or more tender muscles decreased statistically significantly in the stabilization splint group but not in the control group. Conclusion: In a short-term perspective, the use of a stabilization splint reduces signs and symptoms of TMD more effectively than a palatal, non-occluding control splint.

Back to the Neuroscience / TMJ Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 80th General Session (March 6-9, 2002)

Top Level Search