title: Combined occlusal and pharmacological therapy in the treatment of temporo-mandibular disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aim of the present work is to assess the effectiveness of a scientific protocol built up to relieve pain in chronic temporo-mandibular disorders (TMD) using Michigan splint together with a pharmacological therapy compared to the traditional occlusal therapy by Michigan splint alone.
  
  
  METHODS
  35 adult patients, with signs and symptoms of TMD lasting more than 6 months, were enrolled into this study and divided into two groups: the first receiving occlusal therapy by Michigan splint and pharmacological therapy with Delorazepam and Thiocolchicoside, while the second receiving occlusal therapy by Michigan splint and "placebo" administration. The comparisons between the two experimental groups were assessed using a 5 steps visual-analogue scale (V.A.S.).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcomes from the experimental groups were statistically compared resulting significantly different with an improvement or disappearance of signs and symptoms in the treated group with respect to the placebo group at 12 and 18 months from the beginning of the experiment (p < 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Toxicology Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Inchingolo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatullo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marrelli
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Inchingolo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarullo
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Inchingolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dipalma
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Podo Brunetti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tarullo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cagiano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003078:Colchicine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003708:Nordazepam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003708:Nordazepam; C013434:chlordesmethyldiazepam; D003078:Colchicine; C004280:thiocolchicoside