Bite plate vs Education for TMJ disorder in migraine treatment
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) also known as TMJ disorder, is a disorder of the jaw causing pain to the joint and surrounding muscles, which often contributes to migraine pain and impairs the jaws movement.
One way to treat this is a bite plate, also known as an occlusal splint. Depending on the nature of the bite plate it can stabilize and support the movement of the jaw, as well as prevent clenching of the teeth.
This study compared the treatment of TMJ disorder patients treated with a bite plate to those who entered an education program about TMJ disorder. Forty-four patients were randomly placed in the two groups out of which forty-one patients completed the study.
Group one were educated about TMJ disorder and what they could do about it themselves. This group had four males and nineteen females with an average age of thirty-one years. The second group were treated with an occlusal splint or bite plate and was made up of five males and thirteen females, also with an average age of thirty-one years. Each patient was then assessed every three weeks for a three month period.
There was no significant difference in outcomes in these two groups of patients.
View the original study at this link: Evaluation of the short-term effectiveness of education versus an occlusal splint for the treatment of myofascial pain of the jaw muscles
- ” ..our findings indicate that for successful management of myofascial pain, education of patients regarding self-care as well as extensive communication between patient and doctor may be more effective than an occlusal appliance.”
