Effectiveness of Soft Occlusal Splint Therapy in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Crossectional Study

Dr. Cheena Singh; Dr. Parvathi Devi M

Volume : III, Issue : VIII, August - 2014

Effectiveness of Soft Occlusal Splint Therapy in Patients With Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Crossectional Study

Dr. Cheena Singh, Dr. Parvathi Devi M

Abstract :

Background and objectives: Temporomandibular joint disorders have been a highly debated topic in recent years and are associated with signs and symptoms of the masticatory muscles and the joint or both. A variety of treatment modalities has been described in literature for its management and the conservative method is most preferred. The aim of present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of soft occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular joint disorders. Materials and methods: 50 subjects with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders were included in the study, out of which 28 (56.0%) subjects were males and 22 (44.0%), were females with age ranging from 21-31 years. Soft occlusal splints were given to the patients for about three months and evaluated for temporomandibuar joint clicking, reduced mouth opening, mandibular deviation and tenderness of temporomandibuar joint after one week of initiation of therapy and every month for three months. Results: There was a significant (88%) increase in mouth opening and decrease in the preauricular tenderness (92%), TMJ noises (84%) and mandibular deviation (88%) in subjects after soft occlusal splint therapy. Conclusions: Soft occlusal splints can be used effectively as a conservative treatment modality in reducing sign and symptoms related to the temporomandibular joint disorders. It is more cost effective and easy to faicate.