The efficacy of occlusal appliance therapy in patients with temporomandibular disorders of mainly myogenous pain. A randomized controlled trial in a short-term perspective

Abstract

Aim: In a randomized controlled trial investigate the short-term effect of treatment with stabilization appliance compared with a control appliance in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) of mainly myogenous pain. Material and methods: Out of 926 referrals to the Department of Stomatognathic Physiology in Malmo for treatment of TMD during 2 years, 338 patients were clinically screened for possible participation in the study. Patients with mainly myogenous pain were selected from the original group of 926 patients. Sixty TMD patients with mainly myogenous pain were allocated at random into two equally sized groups: (T) treatment group given a stabilization appliance; (C) control group given a control appliance. The study was performed as a randomized controlled trial and comprised four visits. At the last visit, after 10 weeks of treatment with occlusal appliance, the treatment outcome was evaluated. Results: There was a significant reduction of changes in overall severity of pain, reported pain during mandibular movements and reduction of changes in severity of headache in the treatment group compared with the control group. There was also a significant decreased number of tender masticatory muscles in the treatment group compared with the control group. Conclusion: The results of this short-term evaluation suggest that the stabilization appliance is effective in the alleviation of symptoms and signs in TMD patients of mainly myogenous pain. The stabilization appliance can therefore be recommended for TMD patients of mainly myogenous pain.