C.E. Credit. Oral Appliance Therapy in the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders and Bruxism

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground Oral appliance therapy is commonly used in the management of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and bruxism.Discussion This article discusses the evidence base for oral appliance therapy in the treatment of TMD and bruxism and offers practical advice for incorporation of oral appliances into clinical practice.Conclusion Despite ambiguous evidence regarding its use in the treatment of TMD and bruxism, oral appliance therapy is an important treatment modality for these conditions. If oral appliance therapy is to be provided, it should be done in a manner that is conservative, reversible, logical to the patient’s presenting complaint, and part of a larger overall treatment plan. Dentists should be mindful of both the specific and the nonspecific treatment effects of oral appliance therapy in order to optimize total treatment benefit.Continuing Education Credit Available: The practice worksheet is available as supplemental material for this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/19424396.2023.2176975.A CDA Continuing Education quiz is online for this article: https://www.cdapresents360.com/learn/catalog/view/20

Keywords

• Oral appliance
• temporomandibular disorders
• bruxism
• orofacial pain