Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Mar 28;23(1):180.
doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02897-0.

Efficiency of occlusal splint therapy on orofacial muscle pain reduction: a systematic review

Sylwia Orzeszek  1 , Marta Waliszewska-Prosol  2 , Dominik Ettlin  3 , Piotr Seweryn  1 , Marcin Straburzynski  4 , Paolo Martelletti  5 , Andrej Jenca Jr  6 , Mieszko Wieckiewicz  7
Affiliations

Efficiency of occlusal splint therapy on orofacial muscle pain reduction: a systematic review

Sylwia Orzeszek et al. BMC Oral Health. .

Abstract

Background: This systematic review aims to examine the existing original studies to determine the effectiveness of occlusal splints (OSs) in the management of orofacial myalgia and myofascial pain (MP) in comparison with no treatment or other interventions.

Materials and methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this systematic review, randomized controlled trials were qualified, in which the effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy in the management of muscle pain was examined in comparison with no treatment or other interventions. This systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020. The authors searched three databases (PubMed, CINAHL (The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and Scopus) for English publications published between January 1, 2010, and June 1, 2022. The last database search was carried out on June 4, 2022. Data were extracted from the included studies and assessed for risk of bias using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials.

Results: Thirteen studies were identified for inclusion in this review. In total, 589 patients were diagnosed with orofacial muscle pain who underwent education and various forms of therapy including different types of OSs, light emitting diode therapy, acupuncture, low-level laser therapy, device-supported sensorimotor training, Kinesio Taping, myofunctional therapy, and physical therapy. All studies included demonstrated a high risk of bias.

Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence regarding whether OS therapy in the treatment of orofacial myalgia and MP offers an advantage over other forms of interventions or no treatment. Further reliable clinical studies in this area are needed to improve the quality of research, which should be performed with larger groups of blinded respondents and controls.

Clinical relevance: Due to the large-scale nature of orofacial muscle pain, it is assumed that each dental clinician will meet patients with orofacial muscle pain repeatedly in daily practice; hence, the review of the effectiveness of OSs in the management of orofacial myalgia and MP is necessary.

Keywords: Muscle pain; Myalgia; Myofascial pain; Occlusal appliance; Occlusal splint; Orofacial pain; Temporomandibular disorders.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flowchart of study selection. Abbreviations: TMD, temporomandibular disorders; RCT, randomized controlled trial
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, Look J, Anderson G, Goulet J-P, et al. Diagnostic criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for clinical and research applications: Recommendations of the international RDC/TMD Consortium Network* and orofacial pain special interest group†. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014;28(1):6–27. doi: 10.11607/jop.1151. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Riley P, Glenny A-M, Worthington HV, Jacobsen E, Robertson C, Durham J, et al. Oral splints for patients with temporomandibular disorders or bruxism: A systematic review and Economic Evaluation. Health Technol Assess. 2020;24(7):1–224. doi: 10.3310/hta24070. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Wieckiewicz M, Grychowska N, Nahajowski M, Hnitecka S, Kempiak K, Charemska K, et al. Prevalence and overlaps of headaches and pain-related temporomandibular disorders among the Polish urban population. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2020;34(1):31–39. doi: 10.11607/ofph.2386. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Zhang SH, He KX, Lin CJ, Liu XD, Wu L, Chen J, et al. Efficacy of occlusal splints in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica. 2020;78(8):580–589. doi: 10.1080/00016357.2020.1759818. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Liverman CT, English R, Mackey S, Bond EC, editors. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2020 Mar 12. PMID: 32200600.4.National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division; Board on Health Care Services; Board on Health Sciences Policy; Committee on Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs): From Research Discoveries to Clinical Treatment. Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care. Yost O. - PubMed

Publication types