Effectiveness And Machenism Of Muscular Position Splint In The Treatment Of Craniomandibular Disorders

Since 1901 when karolyi first described a vulcanite device for bruxism related problems, a multitude of designs and materials have been developed to prevent and/ or treat symptoms for patients with penicious habits,myofascial pain dysfunction, temporomandibular joint pain dysfunction syndromes or craniomandibular disorders. No matter what type the occlusal splint was.its success and effectiveness had been reported in about 70- 90% of treated patients. Therefor,it is inferred that how the splints work has something in common. Several theories have been presented.but there is no consencus of opinion. The purpose of this study were,form the viewpoint of occlusion, (1)to promote a new type of occlusal splint i.e.the muscular position splint and , (2) to investigate its effects on craniomandibular disorders and its machenisms. The results were as follows:1. The effect of muscular position splint on electromyographic activity of masticatory musclesEM2 examination showed that 102 cases, who were successfully treated, demonstrated masticatory muscle dysfunction:hyperactivity at rest,significant increase or decrease in elevators during maximal clenching. A significant reduction of activities in elevators at rest was found in 89.3% (MM) and 75.8% (TA) of patients with the splint in situ. After treatment,the postural activity of the elevators returned to normal level.The splint changed the level of EMG activity during maximal clench-...