Treatment of mandibular dysfunction: the clinical usefulness of biofeedback in relation to splint therapy

The long-term treatment effects of biofeedback and occlusal splints on mandibular dysfunction were compared. Thirty female patients were randomly divided into two treatment groups. One group had full coverage splints, the other group received biofeedback training. At the re-examinations 1 and 12 months after completion of therapy, the subjective and clinical symptoms were significantly reduced in both groups. No significant differences between the groups were found. A stepwise analysis of regression indicated that biofeedback training may be a useful alternative to splint therapy in cases where night time bruxing is not the dominating feature.