Vibratory splint therapy for decreasing sleep clenching: A pilot study

Abstract

Objective

To estimate the effect of a vibratory splint (VibS) in reducing sleep clenching (SC) and TMD pain.

Methods

Target sample was consecutive 19 TMD patients attending the Orofacial Pain Clinic at FFO-FOUSP. Patients used the VibS or acrylic occlusal splint (OS) as control for 14 days. Outcome variables were SC frequency and pain, assessed by a portable electromyography detector-analyzer (BiteStrip™) and 100 mm VAS, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed with two-way repeated measures ANOVA, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).

Results

VibS promoted a marked decrease, whereas acrylic OS increased SC frequency after two weeks of use. Due to a significant difference in initial VAS levels between VibS and control group, the effect of the two splints on TMD pain could not be clearly estimated.

Conclusion

The results suggested that VibS can potentially be used to reduce SC frequency, although further studies with larger sample size are necessary to confirm these findings.

Keywords:

• Vibratory splint
• temporomandibular disorder
• occlusal splint
• sleep clenching
• portable electromyography