• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.195-204
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• 1987

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of occlusal splints on the masseteric silent period and the changes of the masseteric silent period after experimental bruxism with occlusal splints. In nine subjects, anterior occlusal splints were fabricated. The jaw-jerk reflex was induced by tapping over mandibular symphysis area with solenoid driven hammer and electromyogram of left masseter muscle was recorded. In the recorded electromyogram of left masseter muscle the silent period duration was measured. This procedure was done before insertion of anterior occlusal splints, after insertion of anterior occlusal splints, after 30 min experimental bruxism with anterior occlusal splints, and 3hr after removal of anterior occlusal splints. The result were as follows; 1. The mean silent period duration was increased after insertion of occlusal splints compared with the mean silent period duration before insertion of occlusal splints. 2. There was no change of the mean silent period duration after 30 min experimental bruxism with occlusal splints compared with the mean silent period duration after insertion of occlusal splints. 3. 3hr after the removal of occlusal splints, the mean silent period duration showed no difference from the mean silent period duration before insertion of occlusal splints.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-108
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• 2014

PURPOSE. The occlusal splint has been used for many years as an effective treatment of sleep bruxism. Several methods have been used to evaluate efficiency of the occlusal splints. However, the effect of the occlusal splints on occlusal force has not been clarified sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal splints on maximum occlusal force in patients with sleep bruxism and compare two type of splints that are Bruxogard-soft splint and canine protected hard stabilization splint. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twelve students with sleep bruxism were participated in the present study. All participants used two different occlusal splints during sleep for 6 weeks. Maximum occlusal force was measured with two miniature strain-gage transducers before, 3 and 6 weeks after insertion of occlusal splints. Clinical examination of temporomandibular disorders was performed for all individuals according to the Craniomandibular Index (CMI) before and 6 weeks after the insertion of splints. The changes in mean occlusal force before, 3 and 6 weeks after insertion of both splints were analysed with paired sample t-test. The Wilcoxon test was used for the comparison of the CMI values before and 6 weeks after the insertion of splints. RESULTS. Participants using stabilization splints showed no statistically significant changes in occlusal force before, 3, and 6 weeks after insertion of splint (P>.05) and participants using Bruxogard-soft splint had statistically significant decreased occlusal force 6 weeks after insertion of splint (P<.05). There was statistically significant improvement in the CMI value of the participants in both of the splint groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Participants who used Bruxogard-soft splint showed decreases in occlusal force 6 weeks after insertion of splint. The use of both splints led to a significant reduction in the clinical symptoms.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2013

PURPOSE. Occlusal splints are commonly used to prevent tooth wear caused by bruxism. However, the effects of splints on occlusion are still unclear. Although it is rarely alluded in literature, splints can provoke severe occlusal alterations and other complications. This study was aimed to identify differences in the responses of individuals with bruxism and healthy individuals to a full-arch maxillary stabilization splint in terms of occlusal changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Occlusal contacts in 20 (5 male, 15 female) bruxism patients and 20 (5 male, 15 female) controls with normal occlusion were evaluated before and after occlusal splint therapy. T-Scan III, a computerized occlusal analysis system, was used to simultaneously measure occlusion and disclusion times as well as left-right and anterior-posterior contact distributions before splint therapy and 3 months after therapy. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses (${\alpha}$=.05). RESULTS. No differences were found in the posterior contact of bruxism patients before and after stabilization splint treatment. However, differences in posterior contact were observed between bruxists and normal individuals prior to treatment, and this difference disappeared following treatment. CONCLUSION. The results of this study showed the use of a stabilization splint may not have an effect on occlusion. However, the area of posterior occlusal contact among bruxists was found to be greater than that of normal individuals. According to this study, the clinical use of splints may be harmless.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2013

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the effect of simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splint. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of 43 patients (3 males, 40 females) whose symptoms had improved was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dong-A University Hospital between 2008 and 2010. Subjects were divided into three groups: Group A (17 patients with arthrocentesis and occlusal splints simultaneously applied), Group B (13 patients whose symptoms did not improve with occlusal splints, undergoing arthrocentesis after occlusal splint use for 8 weeks), and Group C (13 patients that only used occlusal splints). We compared these groups in maximum comfortable opening (MCO) and the visual analogue scale of pain and noise. Follow-up was performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: The improvement of symptoms was noted in all three groups, but Group A had a quicker improvement than the other groups, in terms of pain reduction and MCO increases. Conclusion: The simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splints can reduce patient discomfort more quickly.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.731-752
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• 1995

This study was performed to research the changes of masticatory system subsequent to randomly increasing the vertical dimension. The subjects were twenty seven persons, twenty two men and five women, with a mean age of 24.3(age ranged from 22 to 26). The subjects had a complete or almost complete set of natural teeth and reported no subjected symptoms of pain or dysfunction in the masticatory system. The occlusal splint increased vertical dimension was made on semiadjustable articulator. The subjects were randomly divided to three groups according to the vertical dimension, at which the occlusal splint was made. Group I occlusal splints were made at 2mm form the occlusal vertical dimension, group II occlusal splints at 5mm, group III occlusal splints at 8mm. The occlusal splints were almost weared for 2 weeks except meal-time. Clinical examination, muscle activity, changes of free-way space, movement of mandible and articular condyle were recorded and analyzed by means of biopak system(Bioresearch Inc, Millwakee Wisconsin.) and radiograph. 1. In clinical examination, various symptoms were reported by all subjects immediately after the placement of occlusal splint. At the end of experiment, symptoms were lasted by 1 subject in Group I, 2 subjects in Group II, 6 subjects in Group III. At the other subjects, the most of symptoms were disappered within 2-4 days after the placement of occlusal splints. 2. The average free-way space before the startof experiment was 1.77mm in all twenty seven subjects. Immediately after the placement of occlusal splints, 0.67mm at Group I, 0.49mm at Group II, 0.41mm at Group III, At 2 weeks after the placement of occlusal splint 0.93mm, 0.79mm, 0.78mm each other, 1.94mm, 1.77mm, 2.3 mm at immediately after the removal of occlual splint. At 1 week after the removal of occlusal splint, free-way space was recovered to the pre-experimental state 3. In cephalometric radiograph, following either the placement or the removal of the occlusal splints, the movements of mandible in an antero-posterior direction were not statistically significant(p>0.05). 4. In transcranial radiograghs of TMJ, 1 week after the placement of occlusal splint the movement of most superior position on condyle in all group shoed antero-inferior position than before the experiment(p<0.001) and also showed antero-inferior position in mandibular postural rest position than in certric occlusion(p<0.001). Following either the placement or the removal of the splints, the amount of movement of most superior position on condyle was group III. group II and group I in order(p<0.001). 5. In anterior temporal and superficial masseter muscle, muscle activity at postural rest position decreased at 2 weeks after the placement of occlusal splint in group I and group II (p>0.05), but significantly increased in group III(p<0.001). At 1 week after the removal of the occdusal splint, muscle activity at postural rest position was recovered preconditional state 6. In anterior temporal and superficail masseter muscle, muscle activity at clenching in all group was significantly decreased after placement of the occlusal splint, slightly increased during experimental period and recovered to the original state at 1 week after removal of the occlusal splint. But was not statistically significat(p>0.05)s.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.169-183
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• 2003

According to our recent investigation that the increase in the occlusal vertical dimension made the appendage muscle strength got higher, the occlusal appliances were made by increasing the occlusal vertical dimension "from the centric relation" position of the mandible. In this experiment, the authors tried to study the change in the appendage muscle strength due to increase in occlusal vertical dimension from intercuspal position(ICP) of mandible with the same subjects and manner as the former experiment. For this study, ten male athletes in a mean age of 23 year who were joined the former study were selected. All the subjects had a complete or almost complete set of natural teeth and reported no subjective symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. Upper and lower casts were mounted on the semi-adjustable articulator at the intercuspal position and a point was marked on the attached gingival area between the right canine and the right 1st. premolar in each upper and lower cast. From the points, the occlusal vertical dimension was increased by 2mm, 3.5mm and 5mm, and then each 10 maxillary type occlusal splint at each 3-increased position were fabricated with heat curing clear acrylic resin. Including the intercuspal position, the 3 kinds of occlusal splints were placed on the subjects individually, and then isokinetic muscle strength on 7 parts of the human appendage which are shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, forearm, elbow and hip was measured with the CYBEX 6000 SYSTEM (Lumex, NewYork, USA). The results were as follows: The highest mean value in muscular strength was shown at the position of 2mm-increased vertical dimension. The muscle strength during internal/external rotation of shoulder and knee, plantarflexion of ankle, flexion of elbow, and flexion and extension of hip at the increased occlusal vertical dimension position were significantly higher than them at the intercuspal position (p<0.05). Only in view of the increase in the appendage muscle strength, regardless of the way of making the occlusal splints by elevating the occlusal vertical dimension from the centric relation position or intercuspal position, the occlusal splints had an effect on the increase of isokinetic muscle strength at the occlusal vertical dimension which increased within the proper range on the habitual arc of closure.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 1988

The author studied masticatory muscle activity and bite force in normal persons without Temporomandibular Disorders(TMD) signs and symptoms, The number of subjects was 15, and the age of them was from 22 to 25 years. Electromyography was used to record the muscle activity in tapping and clenching movement with or without occlusal splint. 3 splints were made from 3 different mandibular position, that if, centric occlusion position, Rocabado's mandibular rest position, Dawson's centric relation position. The thickness of splint was 3.0-3.5㎜ at molar region. The muscle examined were Masseter and Anterior Temporalis attached with surface electrodes and the device used to measure the EMG level was Bioelectric processor Model EM2. After recording the EMG, the author measured the bite force level in clenching movement with bite force meter Model MPM-3000 in the dame position used in the EMG experiment. The obtained results were as follow : 1. With occlusal splints insetion, the amount of decreased muscle activity in Anterior Temporalis was more than those in Masseter. 2. In the three maxillomandibular relationships with occlusal splints, Masseter showed slightly increased level of muscle in centric occlusion but Ant. Temporalis showed decreased level of muscle activity reversely in that position. 3. Muscle activities between Rocabado's rest position and Dawson's centric relation position were generally similar whatever the muscles or the movements the author examined. 4. Bite force in clenching movement increased with splints insertion, especially with the splint registered in centric occlusion position.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.231-244
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• 2001

This study was conducted to observe the effect on appendage muscle strength according to increase in occlusal vertical dimension. For this study, ten males with a mean age of 21 were selected. The subjects had a complete or almost complete set of natural teeth and reported no subjected symptoms of pain or dysfunction in the masticatory system. The tested occlusal splints were made at the position of increased occlusal vertical dimension of 2mm, 3.5mm, and 5mm from the ICP. Before and after wearing occlusal splints, the appendage muscle strength were tested by CybexII Dynamometer in each subject. The results were as follows : 1. When occlusal vertical dimension was increased, most of mean muscular strength values were increased except for those of supination and pronation of forearm at the position of 5mm increased occlusal vertical dimension. 2. The statistical analyses demonstrated that the increased occlusal vertical dimension position to be significantly stronger than intercuspal position for the muscle strength of the flexion and extension of hip, supination of forearm, external and internal rotation of knee, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of ankle (p<0.05). 3. At the position of 3.5mm increased vertical dimension displayed the highest mean muscluar strength value than other positions. 4. Statistically demonstrated values, except for supination of forearm, internal rotation of shoulder, were related to lower appendage. Therefore splint was more effective on lower appendage than upper appendage to make muscle strength increased. 5. The mean increased rate of muscular strength tested on knee(57%), ankle(42%), and wrist(20%) were higher than hip(31%), elbow(14%), and shoulder(17%).

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.87-98
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of oral splints in reducing the intensity of pain in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction in both short and long-term treatment durations. Electronic databases, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science, Egyptian Knowledge Bank, and EMBASE were searched for randomized controlled trials comparing different types of splints to non-occluding splints, behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, counseling, and no treatment. The risk of bias was assessed by using Cochrane risk of bias recommendations. Fixed and random effects were used to summarize the outcomes. The effect estimates were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) or risk ratios with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were carried out according to the treatment duration. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of short-term studies up to three months revealed no significant difference between the study groups. However, long-term studies exhibited a significant difference in pain reduction in favor of the control group. Total analysis revealed that the control group resulted in significant pain reduction (SMD 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.23, P=0.002, I²=0%). Oral splints are not effective in reducing pain intensity or improving function in patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.316-324
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• 1998

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical features and treatment results on 55 temporomandibular disorder patients who had treated by conservative treatment using occlusal splint. The results were as follows; 1. The ratio of men to women was about 1:2.2 and most of the patients were second and third decades. 2. Pain was the most frequent symptom, followed by clicking and mouth opening limitation. 3. The number of acute and chronic groups on the basis of 6 months duration of symptoms were similar. 4. Most of patients had Angle's Class 1 molar relationships(78.2%), followed by Class 3 and Class 2. 5. Centric Relation splints were used alone for treatment of 34 patients and 21 patients were treated with Centric Relation splints and Anterior Repositioning splints. The treatment duration of the patients who had complained pain was average 9.8 weeks and 6 patients of them had slight pain continuously during follow-up. 6. Eleven patient's maximum mouth opening who had mouth opening limitation was improved from 30. 7mm to 43.0mm during procedures.