Después de cien años de uso: ¿las férulas oclusales tienen algún efecto terapéutico?

Abstract

Occlusal appliances or splints have been used for over a century, generating controversy about their real therapeutic value. This led to an updated review to assess their effects according to scientific evidence. The concept of centric relation and its determination as a starting point of treatment; the use of splints to deprogram; their effect on the oral motor behaviour known as bruxism are discussed. Their effect on EMG activity during resting, swallowing and maximal clenching in the masticatory and neck muscles; their effect on muscular efficiency; their effect decreasing the joint overload; and experimental evidence of the use of several appliances on specific symptoms such as pain and joint noise, are also treated. The true challenge is to generate new knowledge about joint degenerative changes, the craniocervical relationships, tilt and curvature of the cervical spine.