Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the effect of anterior repositioning splint (ARS) on maximum bite force (MBF) values in patients with disc interference disorders (DID).
Material and methods
Twenty-two patients with disc interference disorders and 22 healthy subjects participated in to study. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I have been used to diagnose DID patients. All patients received ARS therapy for 6 weeks. The MBF measurement was performed with Flexi-Force piezo-resistive sensors for both healthy subjects and patients before and after ARS therapy.
Results
A significant difference was recorded by the increase of the mean MBF values after the use of the ARS in the patient with disc derangements (p < .05).
Conclusions
APS therapy is efficient for eliminating pain and increasing MBF of the patients with DID. In addition, the use of FlexiForce sensors may be a practical solution to assess the bite force in the clinical setting.
Acknowledgments
The present research was not supported by any funding agencies in the public or commercial.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.