Effects of Different Occlusal Splints on Joint Vibrations in Bruxers

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hard, soft, and semi-soft splints on TMJ vibrations in bruxers with JVA and to compare them with data obtained from asymptomatic individuals. Materials and Methods: A total of 64 individuals were divided into four subgroups: control (n = 15); and hard (n = 17), soft (n = 16), and semi-soft (n = 16) splints. Electrovibratography records from all individuals included in the study before and after the 3-month splint treatment were obtained with the Biopak^® System. Joint vibration analysis was used to evaluate TMJ sounds. Data normality was examined with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Levene tests. The significance of the differences was investigated by One-Way ANOVA and by the Kruskal-Wallis test. Conover's multiple comparison test was used in post hoc tests. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06893744, on 24 March 2025, titled; Effects of Different Occlusal Splints). Results: After 3 months of treatment, for I < 300 Hz right opening, the control group was statistically lower than both semi-soft (p < 0.001) and hard (p < 0.001) splint groups. The difference between semi-soft and hard splints in post-treatment I < 300 Hz right opening is not statistically significant. After 3 months of treatment compared with the beginning, the increases in left-opening Ti (p = 0.004), I < 300 Hz (p = 0.004), and PA (p = 0.007) values in the soft splint group were statistically significant. Conclusions: All three kinds of splints improved clinical symptoms and complaints of bruxers. For joint vibrations in bruxers, hard and semi-soft splints are more beneficial than soft splints.