Mandibular function after Myorelaxation Therapy in temporomandibular disorders

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Orthodontics
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) encompass a range of conditions affecting the jaw joint and muscles.
• Muscle disorders and disk displacement are common causes of functional impairment in TMD patients.
• Objective assessment of mandibular function is crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of Myorelaxation Therapy for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
• To analyze changes in mandibular movement, functional impairment, and clinical findings post-treatment.
• To determine the suitability of Myorelaxation Therapy for general practitioner management.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-eight women were assessed, including 32 TMD patients and 46 healthy volunteers.
• Jaw-tracking records measured mandibular range of motion (opening, lateral, protrusive) and velocity.
• Treatment comprised a nocturnal relaxation splint and daily stretching exercises, with measurements taken at baseline, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in mandibular opening range (19%) and lateral movement (36%).
• Maximal and average opening/closing velocities increased significantly post-treatment.
• Reported functional impairment and clinical pain decreased significantly (p<0.05), though joint clicking changes were non-significant.

Conclusions:

• Myorelaxation Therapy demonstrated significant efficacy in treating TMD patients.
• The therapy led to substantial improvements in mandibular mobility and function over 6 months.
• This treatment is easily implementable by general practitioners, particularly for muscle-related TMD.