Evaluation of the 3mm Thickness Splint Therapy on Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMDs)

Objective. This study aimed at finding out whether the 3mm thickness of stabilization splints has positive or negative effects on all temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Materials and Methods. The statistical calculation included 25 (22 females; 3 males) TMD patients who received 3mm thickness stabilization splint therapy. They were evaluated according to follow-up treatment period, TMD pain, muscle pain, mouth opening, diet score, and splint usage time per day. Results. There was important treatment success that 22 (88%) of patients were totally healed. There was not any remarkable effect or advancement of splints on total healings of TMDs in first 3 months' period (11/25 patients, 44%). The mouth opening mean reached 38, 67mm at 6 months and 41mm at 12 months with remarkable success. Except one (4%) patient, other 24 (96%) patients had a normal diet score of 3 at the end of splint therapy. There was no correlation between splint usage duration a day and total healing of TMDs. Conclusion. We conclude that 3mm splint therapy should maintain at least 6 months to achieve remarkable results. Splint should be used at least 12h a day consistent with our results. Finally, diet score should be incorporated with TMD pain and amount of mouth opening; hence, we advise to use in one term as total healing.