A study of the use of occlusion splints in the treatment of acute and chronic patients with craniomandibular disorders.

Thirty-three patients were treated for a 4-week period with splint therapy. Fourteen muscle and joint regions were palpated before and after treatment, and observable pain scores were recorded. Maximal comfortable interincisal distance and maximal interincisal distance were recorded before and after treatment. The following results were observed. 1. Of the 33 patients, 28 showed improvement in observable pain scores. The mean decrease was 4.4 (p less than .01). 2. Of the 33 patients, 27 showed increase in maximal comfortable interincisal distance. The mean increase in interincisal distance was 5.3 mm (p less than .01). 3. Of the 33 patients, 21 showed an increase in maximal mandibular opening; however, the increase of 1.7 mm was not statistically significant. 4. When the patients were divided into two groups according to the duration of symptoms, there was no significant difference between the groups' symptoms or their responses to treatment.