RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of anterior repositioning splint (ARS) on maximum bite force (MBF) values in patients with disc interference disorders (DID). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with disc interference disorders and 22 healthy subjects participated in to study. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I have been used to diagnose DID patients. All patients received ARS therapy for 6 weeks. The MBF measurement was performed with Flexi-Force piezo-resistive sensors for both healthy subjects and patients before and after ARS therapy. RESULTS: A significant difference was recorded by the increase of the mean MBF values after the use of the ARS in the patient with disc derangements (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: APS therapy is efficient for eliminating pain and increasing MBF of the patients with DID. In addition, the use of FlexiForce sensors may be a practical solution to assess the bite force in the clinical setting.
