Temporary Hydrostatic Splint Therapy and Its Effects on Occlusal Forces

Abstract

Background and objectives: This study analyzed and compared the distribution patterns of occlusal forces using T-Scan III before and after the hydrostatic temporary oral splint (Aqualizer Ultra) therapy in healthy subjects and subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Materials and Methods: Fifty-one subjects were divided into groups based on anamnesis and responses to the Fonseca questionnaire. The first group, non-TMDs group (n = 19), and the second group, TMDs group (n = 32), had mild-to-severe TMDs, as identified by the Fonseca questionnaire. The non-TMDs group had an average age of 25.4 years (SD = 4.8, range 20–38) with 15 females (78.95%) and 4 males (21.05%). The TMDs group had an average age of 27.4 years (SD = 7.0, range 22–53) with 25 females (78.125%) and 7 males (21.875%). T-Scan III device was used for occlusal analysis before and after hydrostatic splint usage. Results: Significant differences were observed in the TMDs group for anterior and posterior right percentages of forces before and after hydrostatic splint usage. The analysis of force distribution per sector before and after hydrostatic splint therapy showed no significant differences in the non-TMDs group. Analysis of force distributions in the entire study population before and after hydrostatic splint therapy showed significant differences in the anterior and posterior right regions. Occlusal force increased by 32–56% in the front region and decreased in the posterior area after hydrostatic splint usage. Conclusions: Hydrostatic splint therapy is recommended as a part of full-mouth rehabilitation treatment for all patients regardless of the severity of TMDs.

Keywords

• occlusal splints
• dental occlusion
• balanced dental occlusion
• temporomandibular joint disorders
• bite force