Influence of Stabilization Splint Thickness on Temporomandibular Disorders

To assess the effect of stabilization splint (SS) thickness on temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Participants were selected from patients who applied to the clinic with a complaint of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Symptoms were evaluated with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD). Regarding the treatment plan, patients were divided into two groups: the 2-mm-thick splint group (2-mm TSG) and the 4-mm-thick splint group (4-mm TSG). They used SSs at night (8 hours) and were recalled 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after splint insertion. At the end of the study, 72 patients (2-mm TSG = 39, 4-mm TSG = 33) had completed the 6-month follow-up. The SPSS program was used for statistical analysis. The results of the analysis were evaluated at a significance level of .05.

Pain in the muscles decreased significantly in the muscle disorders and combined groups (both 2- and 4-mm TSG) after 6 months of treatment (P < .05). In the combined group, TMJ sounds significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment, and there was a statistically significant difference between the 2-mm TSG and the 4-mm TSG (P = .045). Also, in the combined group, maximum unassisted opening (MUO) values of patients treated with 2-mm-thick splints decreased after 6 months of treatment (P = .022).

Both 2-mm-thick and 4-mm-thick splints were effective in the treatment of muscle disorders and disc displacements, especially in muscle-related pain and TMJ sound symptoms.