Myofascial Pain Dysfunction: Treatments Used by Ada Members

ABSTRACT

A survey of 10,000 members of the American Dental Association was conducted in order to identify the most commonly used treatments for myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD). A questionnaire was used in which MPD was defined, all treatments (including referral) were listed, and a percentage-of-use estimate for each treatment was requested. Results from 2,544 questionnaires showed that the most commonly used treatments are: flat plane splints with anterior/canine guidance or posterior group function, occlusal equilibration, thermal packs, relaxation/stress management training, diet counseling, and medications with anti-inflammatory (nonopioid) analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. The results also showed considerable variation in the ways common treatments are performed. A call is issued for systematic and careful research on the outcomes of these and other treatments and their major variations.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

G. Ernest Glass

Dr. Ernest G. Glass received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Detroit. He received his masters degree in oral biology from The George Washington University and his masters of science degree in dentistry from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He also holds certificates in comprehensive dentistry from the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, and in oral medicine from the University of Washington. Dr. Glass is currently an assistant professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry. He is also currently the director of Special Patient Care and the Facial Pain Center at that institution.

G. Alan Glares

Dr. Alan G. Glaros received his Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He has taught at Wayne State University and the University of Florida. He is presently an associate professor of Behavioral Science at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. His current research involves facial pain, psychophysiology, and biofeedback. Dr. Glaros serves on the editorial board of CRANIO and is also the editor of Biofeedback, the newsmagazine of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

F. Dudley McGlynn

F. Dudley McGlynn received his Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has taught at Mississippi State University, the University of Florida, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Currently he is a professor of psychology at Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. He has served on the editorial board of CRANIO, and he currently serves on the editorial boards of several national journals.