Suleyman Hakan Tuna1, Osman Evren Celik1, Onder Ozturk2, Murat Golpinar3, Aykut Aktas4, Huseyin Avni Balcioglu5, Filiz Keyf6, Bunyamin Sahin3. 1. a Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics , Süleyman Demirel University , Isparta , Turkey. 2. b Medical Faculty, Department of Chest Diseases , Süleyman Demirel University , Isparta , Turkey. 3. c Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy , Ondokuz Mayıs University , Samsun , Turkey. 4. d Medical Faculty, Department of Radiology , Süleyman Demirel University , Isparta , Turkey. 5. e Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Anatomy , Istanbul University , Istanbul , Turkey. 6. f Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics , Hacettepe University , Ankara , Turkey.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, quantitatively, the volumetric effects of stabilization splint therapy on the masseter muscle of sleep bruxism (SB) patients. METHODS: The magnetic resonance (MR) images of 16 SB patients diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG) who used stabilization splints for four months were obtained before and after the therapy. The masseter muscle volume was calculated using Cavalieri's principle on the MR images. RESULTS: After the splint therapy, the mean volume of the masseter muscle did not reduce significantly. The fat and/or water content of the muscles did not change either. DISCUSSION: The stabilization splint therapy had no effect on the volume, fat and/or water content of the masseter muscle; however the discomfort was reduced in the patients. Although the effect of splint therapy is not fully understood, the non-invasive and reversible stabilization splint can be used in SB patients because of its relaxation effect on muscles.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate, quantitatively, the volumetric effects of stabilization splint therapy on the masseter muscle of sleep bruxism (SB) patients. METHODS: The magnetic resonance (MR) images of 16 SB patients diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG) who used stabilization splints for four months were obtained before and after the therapy. The masseter muscle volume was calculated using Cavalieri's principle on the MR images. RESULTS: After the splint therapy, the mean volume of the masseter muscle did not reduce significantly. The fat and/or water content of the muscles did not change either. DISCUSSION: The stabilization splint therapy had no effect on the volume, fat and/or water content of the masseter muscle; however the discomfort was reduced in the patients. Although the effect of splint therapy is not fully understood, the non-invasive and reversible stabilization splint can be used in SB patients because of its relaxation effect on muscles.