Comparison of three different options for immediate treatment of painful temporomandibular disorders: a randomized, controlled pilot trial.

AbstractObjective: The purpose of this study was to compare the short-term effectiveness of three different types of immediate, non-pharmacological intervention for alleviation of the painful symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).Material and methods: Thirty-six patients (mean age 41.6 ± 16.7 years, 25 females) diagnosed with non-dysfunctional painful TMD received counselling and subsequently were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: patients in Group A received prefabricated oral splints with water-filled elastic pads (Aqualizer®), those in Group B were provided with vacuum-formed co-polyester oral splints and those in Group C were given appointments to receive Michigan-type hard splints. Clinical examination was conducted, at baseline and after 2 weeks, by use of the RDC/TMD. Current pain intensity was determined by evaluation of graded chronic pain status (GCPS) on a numerical rating scale (NRS). Active maximum mouth opening without pain (AMMOP) was also measured. Paired sample t-tests...