Soft occlusal splint therapy in the treatment of migraine and other headaches

Abstract

Fifty-seven patients suffering from migraine, tension headache or tension vascular headache were prescribed a soft occlusal splint for night-time wear. Dental, psychosocial/psychiatric and neurological data were recorded prior to commencement of therapy and at the conclusion of a 3 month treatment period. A statistically significant number of patients presenting with migraine or tension vascular headache experienced marked improvement or complete relief of headache symptoms, but most patients suffering from tension headache failed to benefit from splint therapy. A majority of patients displaying intercurrent features of craniomandibular dysfunction experienced reduction in these symptoms also. There was a statistically significant association between TMJ improvement and headache type. Prior to treatment, patients who subsequently benefited from splint therapy in terms of headache improvement had experienced significantly fewer headaches than patients who failed to respond, although headache intensity and duration were similar in both groups. It is suggested that headache type and frequency may be prognostic indicators of the likely success of dental splint therapy in treatment of headache. Nevertheless, the use of occlusal splints in the treatment of patients complaining of headache in the absence of evidence of craniomandibular dysfunction should not be embarked upon until medical examination has excluded the possibility of organic neurological disorder.