Efficacy of Stabilization Splint in Management of Myogenous Temporomandibular Disorders

The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of stabilization splint therapy in reducing symptoms in patients with myofascial pain. This study involved 12 patients (4 males and 8 females) aged 22 to 49 years. The diagnosis of myofascial pain was made according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TDM). A hard occlusal splint (stabilization splint) which was fabricated to fit the upper arch. The patients were instructed to wear the stabilization splint at night for two months. A clinical stomatognathic examination, including registration of the ranges of movements of the mandible and masticatory muscle pain, according to the RDC TMD criteria, was performed before and after treatment. There was a progressive decrease in pain scores, muscles tenderness and significant improvement in mouth opening in patients with stabilization splint during the follow-up period. Hard occlusal stabilization splints have a positive effect as a treatment option for patients with myogenous TMD.