A comparison of two splints in the treatment of TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome. Can occlusal analysis be used to predict success of splint therapy?

Controversy surrounds the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome (TMJPDS). This is also reflected in the widely divergent recommendations in splint design. A study was undertaken to examine the comparative success rates of treatment by two occlusal splints with apparently diametrically opposed modes of action and to determine whether there were any factors which could be utilised to predict the success of splint therapy. Sixty-eight TMJPDS patients were randomly distributed into one of two comparable groups and were treated solely with an occlusal splint for night time wear. One group was treated with a stabilisation splint (SS) and the other with a localised occlusal interference splint (LOIS). The success rate at review with the SS was 67.6% and with the LOIS was 80.9%. This difference was not statistically significant. Pretreatment occlusal analysis demonstrated three indicators of successful splint therapy which appeared to be independent of design. These were the absence of centric relation occlusion, the existence of non-working side interferences and an absence of ideal anterior guidance.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes