Objective:
This study was designed to evaluate the effect of occlusal splints used for treatment of tempromandibular disorders (TMD).
Material and methods:
Thirty class I malocclusion patients (ranging in age 20-30) suffering from signs of TMD attending at orthodontic department, faculty of dental medicine, Al Azhar university boys branch. The patients' complaints were crowding of teeth, limited mouth opening, tempromandibular joints (TMJ) pains, and joint noises during function. The patients will be divided randomly into three groups. Group I will have patients treated by hard rigid occlusal splint (heat cured tooth borne and occlusal surface). Group II will have patients treated by soft occlusal splint flexible and pliable tooth borne and occlusal surface. Group III will have patients treated by dual laminated occlusal surface, hard acrylic resin and soft material on tooth borne surface. Clinical evaluation was performed before the delivery of the splint and at 2, 4, 6 months. Maximum mouth opening and joint sound were recorded each follow up visit.
Results:
All groups of the study showed improvement in maximal mouth opening, TMJ pain, and clicking sounds with variable degrees according to treatment method.
Conclusion:
Dual laminated occlusal splint seemed to be superior in achieving rapid and prolonged improvement in TMD patients than other splints.