Brazilian Oral Research (Mar 2024)

Efficiency of mixed and rigid occlusal stabilization splints: Randomized clinical trial

  • Layza Rossatto OPPITZ,
  • Ana Carolina Mastriani ARANTES,
  • Roberto Ramos GARANHANI,
  • Carlos Alberto COSTA,
  • Cristiano Miranda de ARAUJO,
  • Orlando Motohiro TANAKA,
  • Patricia Kern di Scala ANDREIS,
  • Claudia SCHAPPO,
  • Sérgio Aparecido IGNÁCIO,
  • Aline Cristina Batista Rodrigues JOHANN,
  • Rodrigo Nunes RACHED,
  • Elisa Souza CAMARGO

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-3107bor-2024.vol38.0017
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 38

Abstract

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Abstract Occlusal stabilization splints are the most common treatment for controlling the deleterious effects of sleep bruxism. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost, mixed occlusal splint (MOS) compared to that of a rigid splint. A randomized clinical trial was performed on 43 adults of both sexes with possible sleep bruxism and satisfactory dental conditions. They were divided into rigid occlusal splint (ROS) (n = 23) and MOS (n = 20) groups. Masticatory muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain intensity (visual analog scale), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), indentations in the oral mucosa, anxiety, and depression (HADS), number of days of splint use, and splint wear were evaluated. All variables were evaluated at baseline (T0), 6 months (T6), and 12 months (T12) after splint installation (T0), and splint wear was evaluated at T6 and T12. Student’s t-test, Mann–Whitney U test, non-parametric Friedman’s analysis of variance for paired samples and pairwise multiple comparisons, Pearson’s chi-square test, two-proportion z-test, non-parametric McNemar’s and Cochran’s Q, and Wilcoxon tests were used (p < 0.05). In both groups, there was a decrease in TMJ pain and pain intensity over time and improvements in the quality of life scores. At T6, there was a higher rate of splint wear in the MOS group than in the ROS group (p = 0.023). The MOS showed a higher rate of wear than the rigid splint but had similar results for the other variables. Therefore, the use of a mixed splint appears to be effective in controlling the signs and symptoms of sleep bruxism.

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