Occlusal splint therapy in the treatment of myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome [MPDS]

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was to compare the hard and soft occlusal splint therapy for the treat-ment of symptoms of temporomandibular myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome [TMPDs] .This study included 50 patients [age range 20-45 years] diagnosed with TMPDs. Patients were divided into two groups for providing hard and soft splints by simple randomization. Group I received vacuum formed Soft while Group II Hard acrylic resin maxillary splints for 6 months. Before treatment and on follow up at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 months after treatment, the researcher measured all parameters of TMJ function including mouth opening, pain visual analog scores and tenderness of masticatory muscles .All recorded TMJ function parameters showed statistically significant improvement in both groups during 6 months period.Both hard acrylic and soft rubber splints improved TMPDs symptoms but hard occlusal splints exhibited superior results after 6 months of use