Treatment Of Pain Dysfunction Syndrome Research Articles

Stabilisation splint therapy for temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome.

Pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) is the most common temporomandibular disorder (TMD). There are many synonyms for this condition including facial arthromylagia, TMJ dysfunction syndrome, myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome, craniomandibular dysfunction and myofacial pain dysfunction. The aetiology of PDS is multifactorial and many different therapies have been advocated. To establish the effectiveness of stabilisation splint therapy in reducing symptoms in patients with pain dysfunction syndrome. Electronic databases (including the Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2003; MEDLINE (1966 to June 2001); EMBASE (1966 to June 2001)) were searched. Handsearching of relevant journals was undertaken and reference lists of included studies screened. Experts in the field were contacted to identify unpublished articles. There was no language restriction. Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials (RCTs), in which splint therapy was compared concurrently to no treatment, other occlusal appliances, or any other active intervention. Data extraction was carried out independently and in duplicate. Validity assessment of the included trials was carried out at the same time as data extraction. Discrepancies were discussed and a third reviewer consulted. The author of the primary study was contacted where necessary. The studies were grouped according to treatment type and duration of follow up. Twenty potentially relevant RCTs were identified. Eight trials were excluded leaving 12 RCTs for analysis. Stabilisation splint therapy was compared to: acupuncture, bite plates, biofeedback/stress management, visual feedback, relaxation, jaw exercises, non-occluding appliance and minimal/no treatment. There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of stabilisation splint therapy (SS) in reducing symptoms in patients with pain dysfunction syndrome compared with other active treatments. There is weak evidence to suggest that the use of SS for the treatment of PDS may be beneficial for reducing pain severity, at rest and on palpation, when compared to no treatment. There is insufficient evidence either for or against the use of stabilisation splint therapy for the treatment of temporomandibular pain dysfunction syndrome. This review suggests the need for further, well conducted RCTs that pay attention to method of allocation, outcome assessment, large sample size, and enough duration of follow up. A standardisation of the outcomes of the treatment of PDS should be established in the RCTs.

Acupuncture Treatment of Pain Dysfunction Syndrome after Dental Extraction

A successful treatment with acupuncture of a patient with Pain Dysfunction Syndrome is presented. The patient developed restricted mouth opening after removal of a third molar in the lower jaw. Despite orthodox treatment no improvement was noticed after three months, and his general practitioner was contacted. After two acupuncture sessions the patient felt normal and the jaw movement was within the normal range. A follow-up four weeks after the first treatment showed a further increase in the jaw movement. If restricted movement in the temporomandibular joint occurs after operative procedures in the mouth, acupuncture should be considered at an early stage.

Evaluation of treatment for the pain dysfunction syndrome

Abstract The effects of the use of bite guards on the symptoms of pain, limitation of movement and clicking provoked by an opening movement of the mandible in 218 patients complaining of the pain dysfunction syndrome (PDS) were analysed. A successful result was defined as a symptomless opening movement of the mandible. Pain and limitation disappeared in approximately equal proportions but clicking was less successfully relieved. In the patients studied the results suggest that bite guard therapy is primarily an aid in the treatment of PDS.