The effects of orofacial myofunctional therapy combined with an occlusal splint on signs and symptoms in a man with TMD-hypermobility: case study

Abstract

Exercise therapy has been indicated for the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), but few reports are available about the effect of orofacial myofunctional therapy, which includes working with stomatognathic functions, in patients with TMD. A 49-year-old man with a diagnosis of TMD-hypermobility and orofacial myofunctional disorders received combined treatment with orofacial myofunctional therapy and an occlusal splint. Clinical evaluation and the scale of symptom severity after 9 treatment sessions and during follow-up compared to the phase before treatment suggested that treatment was of great benefit. We conclude that the combination of orofacial myofunctional therapy and an occlusal splint can be beneficial for patients with TMD-hypermobility. However, since this was a single case, further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.