title: Effects of the bite splint 15-day treatment termination in patients with temporomandibular disorder with a clinical history of sleep bruxism: a longitudinal single-cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the effects of bite splint (BS) treatment termination in patients treated for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and sleep bruxism (SB).
  
  
  METHODS
  This longitudinal single-cohort study assessed 30 patients (29.5 ± 7.8 years old, 86.7% women) who were successfully treated with BS for SB and TMD for 30 days to 6 months prior to termination of the use of BS. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD Axes I and II, Sleep Assessment Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and BiteStrip were used to assess TMD signs and symptoms, sleep disorders, depression, and SB at baseline and after 15 days of BS disuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TMD symptoms, including the disability points, characteristic pain intensity, and present pain at rest, increased significantly (P < 0.05). After 15 days of BS termination, there were no significant differences in SB and depression levels, sleep quality, and TMD signs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with TMD and SB, BS treatment cessation is not recommended.
authors.affiliation: Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniela D S
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Rehm
authors.forename: Vivian C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Mainieri
authors.forename: Aline C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Saueressig
authors.forename: Patricia K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.forename: Eduardo R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Teixeira
authors.forename: Howard C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tenenbaum
authors.forename: Luis G R
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Márcio L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Grossi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010516:Periodontal Splints; D020186:Sleep Bruxism / Q000150:complications*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult