Occlusal and non-occlusal splints in the musculoskeletal TMD treatment

• Grant number: 13/20619-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: October 01, 2014
• End date: September 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Sigmar de Mello Rode
• Grantee: Sigmar de Mello Rode
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: José Benedito Oliveira Amorim ; Renata Pilli Jóias ; Wagner de Oliveira

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of occlusal and non-occlusal splints in the muskuloskeletal TMD treatment by electromyography and symptom relief. Fourty individuals will be selected from the enrolled for treatment at the Occlusion and TMJ Center (COAT), ITC-UNESP and will be divided into two groups (n=20). They must be between 18 and 44 years old, with muscular TMD, classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMJ), present favorable dental conditions and not be in TMD treatment. All patients will undergo to electromyography tests in order to evaluate the anterior temporal and masseter muscles electrical activity of the right and left sides, at four moments, baseline and after 1, 2 and 4 months of the splint use. The exams will be realized without the plate in rest and maximum clenching positions. To quantify the pain symptoms objectively, the ability to withstand pressure will be measured in the same muscles with an algometer, and to evaluate the signs and symptoms the craniomandibular index (CMI) will be employed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) will be applied to assess, subjectively, the clinical pain relief. (AU)