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Life (Basel, Switzerland) Dec 2022Occlusal splints are used as a non-invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Another non-invasive treatment option for TMD...
Occlusal splints are used as a non-invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Another non-invasive treatment option for TMD patients is kinesiotherapy, which may be used alone or in conjunction with occlusal splint therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the intra-articular spaces of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after occlusal splint therapy combined with cranio-temporomandibular kinesiotherapy in TMD patients. Twenty-four patients ( = 24) diagnosed with TMD according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were included. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were taken before and after treatment. The anterior, superior, posterior, and medial joint spaces were measured on the CBCT images, and the condylar ratio was calculated using Pullinger and Hollender's formula. Additionally, the thickness of the glenoid fossa (GFT), condylar medio-lateral widths (MLW), and condylar height (HCo) were measured. The condylar ratio was significantly higher after treatment ( = 0.049). The changes in dimensions of the anterior, superior, posterior and medial joint spaces were not statistically significant after treatment. No statistically significant differences were found in the dimensions of the GFT, MLW, and HCo post treatment. The condylar position did not shift anteriorly in a statistically significant way after occlusal splint therapy combined with cranio-temporomandibular kinesiotherapy in TMD patients.
PubMed: 36556507
DOI: 10.3390/life12122143 -
Dental Materials : Official Publication... Oct 2023To evaluate and compare the mechanical properties, water sorption, water solubility, and degree of double bond conversion of three different commercially available...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the mechanical properties, water sorption, water solubility, and degree of double bond conversion of three different commercially available three-dimensional (3D) printing resins used for the fabrication of flexible occlusal splints.
METHODS
A digital printer was used to generate specimens from the evaluated splint materials (KeySplint Soft, IMPRIMO LC Splint flex, and V-Print splint comfort). The specimens were equally divided and tested either dry or after water storage at 37 °C for 30 days. A three-point bending test was used to assess flexural strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness. A two-body wear test was performed using a dual-axis chewing simulator. Water sorption and water solubility were measured after 30 days. The degree of double bond conversion was determined by FTIR-spectrometry. All data for the evaluated properties were collected and statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
Both material and storage conditions had a significant effect on the flexural strength (P < 0.001), elastic modulus (P < 0.001), fracture toughness (P < 0.001), and wear (P < 0.001). The highest water sorption was noticed with IMPRIMO LC Splint flex (1.9 ± 0.0 %), while V-Print splint comfort displayed the lowest water solubility (0.2 ± 0.0 %). For the degree of conversion, it was statistically non-significant among the different materials (P = 0.087).
SIGNIFICANCE
Different flexible 3D-printed splints available in the market displayed variations in the evaluated properties and clinicians should consider these differences when choosing occlusal device materials. Among the tested flexible splint materials, KeySplint Soft had the greatest flexural strength, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, wear resistance, and degree of conversion. It also showed the lowest water sorption.
Topics: Occlusal Splints; Research Design; Elastic Modulus; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Water
PubMed: 37666693
DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2023.08.178 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2020This study aimed to demonstrate that the material of the occlusal splint can be chosen according to the needs of individual patients and contribute to the knowledge of...
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to demonstrate that the material of the occlusal splint can be chosen according to the needs of individual patients and contribute to the knowledge of the wear rate of these materials.
METHODS
In this study, four occlusal splint materials (Sr Ivocap Heat Cured, Valplast, SR Ivocap Elastomer and Eclipse) and three antagonists (natural tooth enamel, inCoris TZI and IPS e.max Press ceramic materials) were used. Each wear test was performed using a chewing simulator (n = 16; test load: 50 N; number of cycles: 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000; continuous rinsing with water at 30 °C for the wet condition). The Shapiro Wilk test was used for normal distribution suitability. Antagonist on average wear quantities both main effects and interactions of material, cycle and condition factors were investigated by Univariate variance analysis. Multiple comparisons were examined using the Games-Howell test.
RESULTS
There was a statistically significant effect of the difference in materials on the amount of wear (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference among the mean values of all materials (p > 0.001). The highest mean value was obtained with Eclipse (0,318 μm), and the lowest mean value was obtained with Valplast (0,134 μm).
CONCLUSION
Our study found differences in the in vitro wear rate among various occlusal splint materials.
Topics: Ceramics; Dental Enamel; Humans; Materials Testing; Occlusal Splints; Surface Properties
PubMed: 32571384
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-01165-9 -
Polymers Nov 2023Three-dimensional (3D)-printed occlusal splints are becoming more prevalent in the treatment of tooth substance loss due to their fast and cost-effective production. The...
Three-dimensional (3D)-printed occlusal splints are becoming more prevalent in the treatment of tooth substance loss due to their fast and cost-effective production. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate whether the mechanical properties (tensile strength-TS, modulus of elasticity in tension-ME, and Vickers hardness-HV) vary between the materials (printed dimethacrylate-based resins: Keyprint KeySplint soft-KEY, Luxaprint Ortho Plus-LUX, V-Print splint-VPR, printed methacrylate-based resins Freeprint splint 2.0-FRE, and milled methacrylate-based material, CLEAR splint-CLE), and the influence of aging processes (extraoral storage conditions and nightly or daily use) was examined. The printed methacrylate-based resins (FRE, LUX, and VPR) had much higher TS (43.7-48.5 MPa compared to 12.3-13.3 MPa), higher ME (2.01-2.37 GPa compared to 0.43-0.72 GPa), and higher HV (11.8-15.0 HV compared to 3.3-3.5 HV) than both of the methacrylate-based resins (KEY and CLE) after the production process. Although the TS, ME, and HV of the printed dimethacrylate resins (FRE, LUX, and VPR) decreased significantly under humid conditions with possibly elevated temperatures (thermocycling as well as 37 °C), these mechanical properties were significantly higher than both methacrylate-based resins (KEY and CLE). Therefore, printed dimethacrylate resins should be used rather than methacrylate-based resins for high expected masticatory forces, low wall thicknesses, or very long wearing times (≥6 months).
PubMed: 38232021
DOI: 10.3390/polym15234574 -
Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society 2021Contradicting evidence regarding the effects of occlusal splint therapy in the management of Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and promising results shown by muscle... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Contradicting evidence regarding the effects of occlusal splint therapy in the management of Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and promising results shown by muscle energy technique.
AIM
To determine and compare the effects of occlusal splint therapy, muscle energy technique, and combined treatment with education for self-management and counseling in the management of TMD.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS
Randomized clinical trial.
METHODOLOGY
A total of 160 participants diagnosed with TMD according to Diagnostic Criteria/TMD axis I were randomly allocated into four treatment groups with equal allocation ratio using random numbers table. The main inclusion criteria were the presence of pain in the preauricular area, TMJ and/or muscles of mastication and maximum mouth opening <40 mm. Group A participants received muscle energy technique, Group B participants received occlusal splint therapy, Group C participants received combined treatment, and Group D participants received education for self-management and counseling (control). Control group treatment was provided to all the trial participants.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Intragroup comparison was made using Friedman test and Wilcoxon test while intergroup comparison was done using Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS
Intensity of pain on a visual analog scale and maximum mouth opening were measured at baseline, at 1 week, at 2 weeks, at 1 month, and after 3 months.
CONCLUSION
Muscle energy technique, occlusal splint therapy and combined treatment significantly reduce pain compared to controls and muscle energy and combined treatment are superior to other groups for mouth opening improvements in patients with TMD.
Topics: Humans; Muscles; Occlusal Splints; Pain Measurement; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34810363
DOI: 10.4103/jips.jips_332_21 -
Craniomaxillofacial Trauma &... Dec 2021Free fibula flaps are nowadays the gold standard for the surgical reconstruction on large mandibular defects. Malocclusion is an important complication of this type of...
STUDY DESIGN
Free fibula flaps are nowadays the gold standard for the surgical reconstruction on large mandibular defects. Malocclusion is an important complication of this type of reconstruction and many of these patients end up requiring subsequent orthognathic corrective surgery. This is a descriptive retrospective case series study.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the demographic data, operative techniques, corrective methods and postoperative results in the management of malocclusion following mandibular reconstruction with free fibula flap.
METHODS
This case series study included patients who underwent free fibula flap mandibular reconstructions and who that subsequently developed malocclusion requiring orthognathic corrective surgery, from June 2010 to December 2019. Panoramic X-rays, cephalometries and/or 3-D facial reconstruction CT scans were used for surgical planning to create surgical cutting guides, templates and occlusal splints in all the patients that underwent corrective orthognathic surgery.
RESULTS
There were 46 patients who underwent a free fibula flap mandibular and maxillary reconstruction at San Jose Hospital between June 2010 and December 2019 of these, 5 patients (10.9%) developed postoperative malocclusion. One case from another institution was added to this study for a total of 6 patients with malocclusion following mandibular reconstruction surgery with a fibula free flap. During the orthognathic surgery, vertical osteotomies were performed in 3 patients and bilateral sagittal split osteotomies were necessary in 2 patients and L-shape in 1 patient. Osteogenic distraction was performed in 3 patients as part of their orthognathic treatment. The fixation methods were based in miniplates for 3 of the patients and lag screws for the remaining 3 patients. With this approach, all patients had an adequate occlusion correction with a 100% consolidation at their 6-month follow up.
CONCLUSION
Malocclusion is a significant complication following mandibular reconstruction surgery that must be identified and managed. In severe cases, it requires corrective orthognathic surgery in severe cases. We have developed a protocol to avoid pitfalls during the primary reconstruction and in case an orthognathic surgery is required for malocclusion correction, preoperative planning with cutting guides and occlusal splints should be assessed, to guarantee favorable results through a reproducible technique.
PubMed: 34707786
DOI: 10.1177/1943387520980246 -
Cureus Mar 2023Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common and affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding musculoskeletal tissues. Although traditional rehabilitative...
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are common and affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding musculoskeletal tissues. Although traditional rehabilitative treatments such as physiotherapy, occlusal splints, orthodontics, and electrotherapy effectively manage TMDs, chiropractic therapy is emerging as a promising non-invasive treatment option. We report a 39-year-old female patient with TMD who underwent chiropractic therapy, including spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercise rehabilitation. After four weeks of treatment, the patient reported a complete resolution of symptoms and an improved quality of life score. Thereafter, the patient continued chiropractic treatment monthly for six months, during which she reported no symptoms and demonstrated improvements in her spinal range of motion, open-mouth anatomy, and cervical lordosis. This case study highlights the efficacy of applying an interdisciplinary approach to treating TMD and the potential of chiropractic therapy as a valuable treatment option for managing TMD.
PubMed: 36945237
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.36377 -
Journal of Dental Sciences Mar 2021This study aimed to compare the effect of four approaches in the treatment of TMJ disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR).
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
This study aimed to compare the effect of four approaches in the treatment of TMJ disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-two patients (40 joints) with mean age 28.025 ± 7.18 (23 female patients and nine male patients) were assigned randomly into four groups (10 joints in each group). Group I, patients were treated by centric splint. Group II, patients were treated by distraction splint. Group III, patients were treated by arthrocentesis and centric splint, while group IV patients were treated by arthrocentesis and distraction splint. The groups were compared in terms of joint function (mouth opening), joint pain through joint palpation, and use of visual analog scale (VAS). These records were taken preoperatively, two weeks, one month, three, and six months postoperatively. Also, the presence of disc recapture was evaluated in all patients on MRI at the end of the treatment period.
RESULTS
Significant improvements in all parameters were recorded in all groups. At two weeks postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in all parameters in group III and group IV than group I and group II, while there was no statistical difference between group III and group IV. Regarding mouth opening and joint palpation, there was a significant improvement in group III than group I and group II. Also, there was a significant improvement in group IV than group II at the subsequent follow-up periods. Regarding VAS, at one and three months postoperatively, there was a significant improvement in group III than other groups.
CONCLUSION
However, both types of splints provide better results without a statistical difference; the simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splint decreases pain and improving the function effectively and more rapidly.
PubMed: 33854726
DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2020.08.008 -
Turkish Journal of Orthodontics Mar 2022The aim of this study was to identify the strategies used for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) by general dental...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to identify the strategies used for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) by general dental practitioners (GDPs) in the city of Istanbul.
METHODS
A total of 154 GDPs were assessed by a single examiner in this questionnaire-based study. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables, and the results were analyzed at a 95% CI and statistical power of 80% with the significance level set at P < .05.
RESULTS
The most frequently employed strategies for obtaining a diagnosis were patients' medical history (33.1%), physical examination (37.7%), and a combination of diagnostic methods (29.2%). The most commonly referred specialties were prosthodontics (62.2%) and maxillofacial surgery (36.9%). All GDPs treated their TMD patients with occlusal splints, and the majority of the occlusal splints were hard occlusal splints (62.8%). Half of the GDPs considered the etiology of TMD to involve stress, whereas 49.4% believed that TMD is of a multifactorial etiology.
CONCLUSION
The GDPs clarified that TMD patients were mostly treated with occlusal splints and this datum is consistent with the suggestions of previous consensus papers.
PubMed: 35370133
DOI: 10.5152/TurkJOrthod.2022.21170 -
Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain... Jun 2021This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effectiveness of maxillary stabilization splint (SS) therapy to reduce headache (HA) intensity and HA... (Review)
Review
Reduction of headache intensity and frequency with maxillary stabilization splint therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders-headache comorbidity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyze the effectiveness of maxillary stabilization splint (SS) therapy to reduce headache (HA) intensity and HA frequency in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD)-HA comorbidity. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using full-arch coverage, hard resin, and maxillary SS therapy were included. Electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, MEDLINE through PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE, were searched. The risk of bias was analyzed based on Cochrane's handbook. The search yielded 247 references up to January 28, 2020. Nine RCTs were included at a high risk of bias. The comparison groups included other splints, counseling, jaw exercises, medications, neurologic treatment, and occlusal equilibration. Four studies reported a statistically significant reduction in HA intensity, and five studies reported significant improvement in HA frequency from baseline at 2-12 months in patients with TMD-HA comorbidity treated with a full-arch hard maxillary SS. HA frequency in tension-type HA (TTH) comorbid with TMD diagnoses of myofascial pain (MFP) or capsulitis/synovitis improved significantly with SS than that with full-arch maxillary non-occluding splint (NOS) in two studies. Comparison groups receiving hard partial-arch maxillary splint nociceptive trigeminal inhibition (NTI) showed statistically significant improvements in HA intensity in patients with mixed TMD phenotypes of MFP and disc displacement comorbid with "general HA." Comparison groups receiving partial-arch maxillary resilient/soft splint (Relax) showed significant improvements in both HA intensity and frequency in patients with HA concomitant with MFP. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference in the improvement of pain intensity at 2-3 months with comparison of the splints (partial-arch soft [Relax], hard [NTI], and full-arch NOS) or splint use compliance at 6-12 months with comparison of the splints (partial-arch Relax and full-arch NOS) versus the SS groups in patients with various TMD-HA comorbidities. In conclusion, although SS therapy showed a statistically significant decrease in HA intensity and HA frequency when reported, the evidence quality was low due to the high bias risk and small sample size. Therefore, further studies are required.
PubMed: 34136641
DOI: 10.17245/jdapm.2021.21.3.183