Occlusal Splints and Exercise Performance: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Dental Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• The dento-mandibular apparatus, including occlusion and jaw position, is increasingly recognized for its influence on bodily functions.
• Occlusal splints (OS) are dental devices that can alter jaw position and occlusal relationships.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on occlusal splint applications and their effects on exercise performance in athletes.
• To analyze the impact of OS on various performance metrics and biomechanics.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across MEDLINE®/PubMed and Scopus databases from March to June 2021.
• Included studies were published between 2000-2021, in English, and involved human participants investigating OS and athletic performance.
• Seventeen studies were selected from 587 identified records for analysis.

Main Results:

• Significant heterogeneity was observed in the experimental conditions across the included studies.
• Analysis focused on OS characteristics, jump performance, maximal/explosive strength, and exercise technique/biomechanics.
• Occlusal splints showed potential for improving oral health and marginal gains in exercise performance.

Conclusions:

• The application of occlusal splints may benefit athletes' oral health.
• OS could be a potential tool for optimizing subtle aspects of exercise performance, though results are varied.
• Further research with standardized methodologies is needed to confirm the performance-enhancing effects of OS.