Finite element analysis of occlusal splint therapy in patients with bruxism

Abstract

Background: Bruxism is among the habits considered generally as contributory factors for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and its etiology is still controversial. Methods: Three-dimensional models of maxilla and mandible and teeth of 37 patients and 36 control subjects were created using in-vivo image data. The maximum values of stress and deformation were calculated in 21 patients six months after using a splint and compared with those in the initial conditions. Results: The maximum stresses in the jaw bone and head of mandible were respectively 4.4 and 4.1 times higher in patients than in control subjects. Similar values for deformation were 5.8 and 4.9, respectively. The maximum stress in the jaw bone and head of mandible decreased six months after splint application by up to 71.0 and 72.8%, respectively. Similar values for the maximum deformation were 80.7 and 78.7%, respectively. Following the occlusal splint therapy, the approximation of maximum deformation to the relevant values in control subjects was about 2.6 times the approximation of maximum stress to the relevant values in control subjects. The maximum stress and maximum deformation occurred in all cases in the head of the mandible and the splint had the highest effectiveness in jaw bone adjacent to the molar teeth. Conclusions: Splint acts as a stress relaxer and dissipates the extra stresses generated as well as the TMJ deformation and deviations due to bruxism. The splint also makes the bilateral and simultaneous loading possible and helps with the treatment of this disorder through regulation of bruxism by creating a biomechanical equilibrium between the physiological loading and the generated stress.

Biomechanical Behavior Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Occlusal Splint-Mouthguard for Contact Sports: 3D-FEA

“…A previous study that combined the finite element method with clinical data indicated that occlusal splint therapy was effective in reducing stress and deformation, especially in the head and in the jaw. In addition, the effectiveness of the splint was higher in reducing deformation than stress [ 34 ]. According to the authors, the occlusal splint can lead to regulation of bruxism by reducing stresses, reducing deformations and deviations in the temporomandibular joints [ 34 ].…”

“…In addition, the effectiveness of the splint was higher in reducing deformation than stress [ 34 ]. According to the authors, the occlusal splint can lead to regulation of bruxism by reducing stresses, reducing deformations and deviations in the temporomandibular joints [ 34 ]. Similarly, another finite element study indicated the effectiveness of using the rigid occlusal splint to change the distribution of functional load in the treatment of patients with mastication muscle parafunction [ 35 ].…”

Fractures of implant fixtures: a retrospective clinical study

“…If deemed necessary, it may be a good idea to do perform a thorough sleep bruxism examination. If the test indicates that sleep bruxism is present, a stabilization splint, or botulinum toxin injection may be necessary as a preventive measure to reduce the occurrence of complications by lowering the symptoms of sleep bruxism and excessive bite force applied to the teeth [10][11][12][13][14].…”

Personalized Biomechanical Analysis of the Mandible Teeth Behavior in the Treatment of Masticatory Muscles Parafunction

“…Deprogramming and relaxation of the mastication muscles is possible in the case of using relaxing occlusal splints for a long period (3–4 weeks and longer); such devices are highly effective (relaxation splint, as well as splint increasing the vertical height) [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. An occlusal splint is effective only when the neuromuscular system allows the presence of the splint in the oral cavity and occlusal changes that are caused by an occlusal splint [ 26 ]. Therefore, it is necessary to provide the proper correction of the occlusal splint before using it.…”