Bite plates and stabilization splints in mandibular dysfunction. A clinical and electromyographic comparison.

Twenty patients with mandibular dysfunction, all women, aged 17-41 years, were randomized for treatment with either a bite plate with a frontal plateau or a full-coverage stabilization splint. The occlusal appliances were used at night for 6 weeks to compare clinical and electromyographic effects (EMGs). Integrated EMGs were recorded bilaterally from the anterior and posterior parts of the temporal muscle and the masseter muscle in the rest position and during gentle and maximal biting before and after treatment without the appliances in situ. Initially recorded EMG activity in the temporal muscle was correlated to signs of dysfunction in the rest position. Compared with previously investigated healthy subjects, the patients had lower EMG activity in the anterior part of the temporal muscle and in the masseter muscle during maximal biting. Use of occlusal appliances at night for 6 weeks did not change the EMG activity in the rest position or during maximal biting. The clinical signs improved, significantly in the splint group. The subjective symptoms improved in both groups, significantly more in the splint group.