Summary
The objective of this systematic review study was to search for clinical findings in quality studies on the effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy. This literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, SciELO, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials; delimiting the search from January 1, 2011 to June 1, 2022. A total of 21 articles were included, all related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction and the efficacy of occlusal splints as a treatment. Occlusal splints effectively reduce painful symptoms in patients with temporomandibular disorders, both in muscular and joint pathologies, although more effectively in cases of muscular dysfunction, since recurrent disc displacements have been observed in joint pathologies.
KEY WORDS: temporomandibular dysfunction, effectiveness, occlusal splint, disk displacement, splint therapy.
How to cite this article
FREIRE-NIETO, P.; FELIPE-SPADA, N.; GINER-SOPENA, Á.; VILLARROEL-MONTAÑO, G.; TOMÀS-ALIBERAS, J. Effectiveness of occlusive splints as a treatment for temporomandibular dysfunction. Systematic review. Int. J. Odontostomat., 16(4):572-577, 2022.
