title: Occlusal splint prescription in the management of temporomandibular disorders.
abstract: The case records of 159 patients who had been treated for temporomandibular disorders at the School of Clinical Dentistry Queen's University of Belfast were analysed retrospectively to determine which type of occlusal splint had been prescribed. Full maxillary occlusal coverage polycarbonate vacuum formed splints were prescribed most frequently, being used in 45% of cases, whilst lower splints were rarely constructed. After treatment 54% were asymptomatic which is slightly greater than that described by others as a placebo effect in splint therapy. This low success rate was, at least, in part attributable to a poor overall management strategy. The study highlights the need for a structured management strategy in treating patients with temporomandibular disorders and suggests a need for continuing postgraduate education in the care of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clifford
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Finlay
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Burnett
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla; D009660:Northern Ireland; D017090:Occlusal Splints / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055656:Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*