The Use of an Oral Exercise Device in the Treatment of Muscular TMD

ABSTRACT

Forty-five patients with a primary diagnosis of muscular MD were evaluated and treated in a university based facial pain center. The patients were equally and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Group 1 patients were treated with traditional therapies appropriate for the particular patient. Group two patients used similar therapies that were appropriate for the patient but also had an oral vertical exercise device integrated into their therapy. Patients in the third group were instructed in home care, educated about TMD, and instructed in the use of the oral exercise device. Results indicated that all three groups demonstrated significant overall patient clinical and subjective improvement. The three groups did not differ significantly from each other in degree of patient improvement.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Edward G. Grace

Dr. Edward G. Grace is the Director of the Brotman Facial Pain Center at the University of Maryland Dental School. He has a D.D.S. degree from the University of Maryland and an MA in clinical psychology from Loyola College as well as post doctoral training in behavioral medicine. He is an author on over 50 scientific articles and has presented over 100 seminars to the health community in the last ten years.

Eleni Sarlani

Dr. Eleni Sarlani has a D.D.S. degree from the University of Athens, Greece. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Oral Biology/Neurology at the University of Maryland.

Britt Read

Dr. Britt Reid has a D.D.S. degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He is a research assistant professor at the University of Maryland and an epidemiologist in the health policy and analysis division of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Dr. Reid has been a principal or co-investigator on numerous health science grants in the last five years.