Effect of occlusal splint and therapeutic exercises on postural balance of patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of an occlusal splint on postural balance considering the occlusal splint as a device for treating temporomandibular joint disorder. A randomized, controlled, prospective clinical trial was conducted. The research group consisted of 49 patients (36 as test group and 13 as control group) between 18 and 75 years old, both genders, diagnosed as temporomandibular disorder by Research Diagnostic Criteria/Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire and magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joints. Test group was treated with orientations for physiotherapeutic exercises and occlusal splint, whereas control group received orientation for physiotherapeutic exercises only. Postural equilibrium was evaluated by means of a force plate. After 12 weeks, the groups were re‐evaluated. Patients from both groups presented a significant increase in antero‐posterior speed with eyes closed, test group ( P < 0.001) and control group ( P = 0.046). Only patients of the test group presented a significant increase in antero‐posterior speed with eyes opened ( P = 0.023). We concluded that the use of occlusal splint affected the postural balance.

Recovery from Acute Malocclusion in Temporomandibular Disorders with Stabilization Splint: Case Report

“…Relaxation by splint wearing can help to maintain low EMG activities muscle activity [14]. Occlusal splint has an additional effect on the postural balance [15].…”

Reliability of plantar pressure and postural control measures of children from 4 to 12 years: analysis by baropodometry

“…The baropodometer (BAROSCAN ® , Londrina, Paraná, Brazil) evaluation was performed in a school environment, with children in uniform, barefoot, and without socks. Each child stood openeyed on the baropodometer marking, feet aligned 10 centimeters apart between the heels and 10-degree hip abduction, arms along the body, staring at a fixed point in the eye height, at a distance of 3.80 meters from the child 12 .…”

Estudo da postura e equilíbrio do atleta por meio de fotogrametria e estabilometria no uso de protetor bucal para esporte

“…Estas técnicas de avaliação foram selecionadas por serem comumente 65 atletas GF = 32 atletas (Fotogrametria) GE = 33 atletas (Estabilometria) utilizadas em estudos de avaliação de dispositivos interoclusais, reabilitações e padrão oclusal associados a postura e equilíbrio. (Álvarez Solano et al, 2020;Candotti et al, 2019;Oliveira et al, 2019;Yoshida et al, 2008).…”

“…Estudos avaliaram fatores que podem influenciar a relação controle postural realizados em placas estabilizadoras oclusais (Bolmont et al, 2002;Bracco et al, 2004;Lourenço & Silva, 2013;Oliveira et al, 2019;Souza et al, 2006;Strini et al, 2009). Protetores bucais para esporte (PBI) são dispositivos intraorais que visam proteger dentes, lábio e língua e prevenindo traumatismos dentários e maxilofaciais decorrentes da prática esportiva (Padilha et al, 2021;Pae et al, 2013;Tuna & Ozel, 2014;Vucic et al, 2016), tem suas limitações nas porções vestibular, palatina e oclusal.…”