Migraine: the effect of acrylic appliance design on clinical response

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the nocturnal wearing of an acrylic appliance of 2 mm thickness covering all occlusal surfaces of the teeth and the frequency of attacks of migraine. Nineteen patients were studied and all fulfilled accepted criteria for migraine with or without aura. Two appliance designs were employed, one covering the maxillary occlusal surfaces of the dentition and another which contacted the palatal mucosa only and was free of the occlusion. Treatment outcome was expressed as the number of attacks of migraine per week per patient. The occlusal cover appliance reduced the number of attacks on average to about 40% of that normally experienced. The improvement was most marked in those who had frequent attacks of migraine ie two attacks per week on a regular basis. In summary, acrylic appliance therapy is of value in migraineurs who have attacks on waking but the appliance design has to involve covering of the occlusal surfaces of all of the teeth.