Patient’s satisfaction and muscles activity after management of temporomandibular disorders patients using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing versus conventional occlusal splints (randomized clinical trial)

• Published in: International dental & medical journal of advanced research 2017, Vol.3 (1), p.1-8
• Main Authors: Algabri, Radhwan Saleh, Alqutaibi, Ahmed Yaseen, Elkadem, Amr Hosny Elkhadem, Maher, Eman Ahmed, Kaddah, Amal Fathy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Arthritis; Clinical trials; Dentistry; Human error; Manufacturing; Muscle function; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Pain; Patient satisfaction
• ISSN: 2455-2577; 2455-2577
• DOI: 10.15713/ins.idmjar.58

With continuous debate, regarding which are more effective in managements of the temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), CAD/CAM or conventionally made occlusal splint, this study aimed to answer the following question "does the CAD/CAM occlusal splints have different effect regard to patient satisfaction, muscle activity, and time of adjustments when compared with conventional splints?" A sample of 30 TMD patients, with a mean age of 30.2 years were randomly allocated into Groups 1 (CAD/CAM splint 15 patients) and 2 (conventional splint 15 patients). The research diagnostic criteria for TMD were used for TMD Axis I (Groups II disc displacement with reduction). Numeric scales (TMD/NS, 10 cm) were used to measure headaches, face pain, jaw joint pain, jaw joint noises, mastication pain, neck pain, face tension, limitation of mouth opening, complaints during mastication, and teeth sensitivity at baseline and then monthly for 3 months. Electromyography was used to measure the muscle activity of masseter and temporalis muscles at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. The time needed for adjustment of splint from the beginning of splint insertion until became well fitted and occlusally adjusted was calculated using stopwatch (minutes). TMD/NS showed statistically significant improvement in CAD/CAM splint group when compared to conventional splint after 1 and 3 months P = 0.001 and < 0.0001, respectively. There was highly statistical significant less time required for adjustment for the CAD\CAM occlusal splints when compared to the conventional occlusal splints (P < 0.0001). The CAD/CAM occlusal splints significantly require less time of adjustment and improve the patient's satisfaction of TMD patients greater than that of conventional occlusal splint. However, both splints are similar in regard to improvements of the muscle activities.