There has long been controversy regarding which types of treatments are indicated and effective for temporomandibular joint disorders.  This published international research conducted in Iraq is one attempt to evaluate a specific type of splint therapy in a population of TMD patients.   

The Effectiveness of Occlusal Splint Therapy in Treatment of Iraqi Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Patients

by WF Qasim

J Med J, (40) 4:1-6, 2006.

The effectiveness of an occlusal splint as a conservative non-invasive treatment modality of temporomandibular joint disorders was evaluated clinically with the design of full coverage, flat, maxillary occlusal splint. Twenty-eight temporomandibular disorder treated patients were evaluated with the TMJ Scale(TM) before and after treatment. A group of twenty-six similar patients identified as having temporomandibular disorders, but not undergoing treatment, were used as a control group. It was found that this splint design had a significant effect on improvement of physical signs related to temporomandibular disorders, but it had no significant effect on the elimination of temporomandibular joint clicking at the end of final evaluation period. Accordingly, its indication was limited for myogenic facial pain and not for repositioning purposes.

For additional published research studies and information on TMDs, including self-screening, go to www.tmjscale.com