Clinical effect of full coverage occlusal splint therapy for specific temporomandibular disorder conditions and symptoms

Abstract Purpose. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of maxillary full-coverage occlusal splint (stabilization splint) therapy for specific temporomandibular disorders and their symptoms/signs. Material and methods. This study assessed the outcome of 232 patients who were suffering from chronic pain on movements, joint noise except reciprocal clicking, and difficulty of mouth opening. All were treated with the stabilization splint alone. Results. The total remission rate was 41% and, including those reporting some improvement, the rate was 84%. The presence of displaced disk significantly decreased the success rate. However, the presence or absence of radiographic changes in the temporomandibular joint did not influence the treatment outcome. Conclusion. From this study, it is suggested that the stabilization splint therapy may be a useful treatment modality in treatment of temporomandibular disorders, especially for the patients without clinical evidence of displaced disk. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;78:506-10.)