Evaluation of the effect of T-Scan™ as an adjunct to stabilization splint in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective To assess the effectiveness of the stabilization splint (SS) combined with the T-Scan™ III system in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) with myofascial pain. Methods Forty-eight enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the SS group or T-Scan™-guided SS group. Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ), Maximum Comfortable Opening (MCO), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used as the outcome variables. Results The occlusal contacts of patients in the SS plus T-Scan™ group showed lower Occlusal Time (OT), Disocclusion Time (DT), and Asymmetry Index of Occlusal Force (AOF) after occlusal adjustment under the guidance of the T-Scan™. Importantly, the TMD symptoms were alleviated more obviously in SS plus T-Scan™ group, with better scores for MCO and MFIQ. Conclusion T-Scan™-guided occlusal adjustment of SS can obtain better OT, DT, and AOF, which furthers improvement of the therapeutic effects on TMD with myofascial pain.