title: Evaluation of occlusal splint therapy in temporomandibular joint disorder patients using real-time ultrasonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal splint therapy by determining the cross-sectional dimension of masseter muscle using ultrasound in patients with temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven patients aged between 20 and 40 years were included in the study. A detailed history was obtained, and a comprehensive clinical examination was carried out. Subjective assessment with structured pro forma was performed pre-occlusal and post-occlusal splint therapy. The objective measurement of the bilateral masseter muscle thickness was recorded using real-time ultrasonography before and after splint therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean ultrasound thickness of the masseter muscle in the pre-clenching state before splint therapy was 9.45 mm (SD 1.39), and the post-clenching state was 13.15 mm (SD 2.23). After splint therapy, the mean thickness in the pre-clenching state was 9.14 mm (SD 1.31), and the post-clenching state was 12.78 mm (SD 2.23; P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonographic measurements of the masseter muscle in patients with temporomandibular joint disc displacement with reduction can be a useful tool to assess the effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy. Such conservative measures can significantly reduce masticatory muscle tenderness, especially of the temporalis and masseter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, ACPM Dental College, Dhule, India. swaroopmds@yahoo.co.in
authors.forename: Swaroop
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Telkar
authors.forename: Mubeen K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Anil Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Shukla
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dodamani
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yalsangi
authors.forename: Deepti
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Telkar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: masseter muscle; stabilization splint; temporomandibular disorder; temporomandibular joint; ultrasound