The effect of the occlusal splints on the treatment of temporomandibular disorders--a computerized electromyographic study of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles.

The effect of the occlusal splints on the treatment of temporomandibular disorders--a computerized electromyographic study of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. The comprehension of the determinant factors of temporomandibular disorders is still inconclusive, since that the etiology is associated with multidisciplinary knowledge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy with occlusal splints in patients with temporomandibular disorders by the computerized electromyography. It was selected twenty-two patients with signs and symptoms with changes of the stomatognathic system, males and females patients, with ages between 18 and 53 years old. Plane occlusal surface splints were constructed in acrylic resin and placed in each patients. Electromyographic evaluations of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles were performed during the mandibular isometric clenching before inserting and after 90, 120 and 150 days of using the occlusal splints. After 90 and 120 days of using them, they were changed by canine guidance and group function respectively. The results after the polynomial regression analysis showed that there were significant reductions (p < 0.05) in the electromyographic activity along the entire period of treatment during the mandibular isometric clenching for masseter and anterior temporalis muscles. The group function showed a shorter eletromyographic activity for both muscles.