ABSTRACT
Aim: To compare between soft and hard occlusal splint therapy for the management of myofacial pain dysfunction [MPD] or internal derangement [ID] of the temporomandibular joint [TMJ] with reciprocal clicking
Patients and methods: This study included 50 patients [age range: 24-47 years] who had been diagnosed with MPD or ID of the TMJ in the form of reciprocal clicking. Patients were divided into two groups. They were treated for 4 months with either a vacuum-formed soft occlusal splint constructed from 2-mm-thick elastic rubber sheets [soft splint group] or a hard flat occlusal splint fabricated from transparent acrylic resin [hard splint group]. Monthly follow-up visits were performed during the treatment period. Before treatment and 1, 2, 3 and 4 months after treatment, the dentist measured all parameters of TMJ function [pain visual analog scores, tenderness of masticatory muscles, clicking and tenderness of the TMJ, and range of mouth opening]
Results: All parameters of TMJ function showed significant improvement in both groups during the follow-up period, with a statistically significant difference between the two groups at the 4-month follow-up visit
Conclusions: Both forms of occlusal splints [soft and hard] improved TMJ symptoms in patients with MPD or ID of the TMJ. However, the soft occlusal splints exhibited superior results after 4 months of use