BACKGROUND
Masticatory system is a complex functional unit, primarily engaged in chewing, swallowing and breathing functions, and some parts are involved in taste recognition and determination of food consistency. Sophisticated functional performances of speech and emotional expressions are specifically human qualities. Irregularities in occlusion appears to be the precipitating factor in the pathogenesis of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. Tek- Scan III records the bite length, number, distribution, timing, duration and the relative force of each tooth contact. It also records the sequence of occlusal contacts in terms of time and the associated force with each occlusal contact.
The aim of this study was to treat masticatory muscle disorders with occlusal equilibration, and compare the efficacy of treatment outcomes between selective grinding and stabilization splints using Tek-Scan III.
OBJECTIVE
Objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of occlusal equilibration achieved through selective griding and stabilization splints using Tek-Scan III.
METHODS
In this in vivo study, 40 patients with masticatory muscle disorders were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The occlusal discrepancies were analyzed using Tek-Scan III. The selected 40 subjects were then randomly divided into 2 groups based on the treatment they recieved; Group I – Selective grinding group (20) and Group II – Stabilization splint group (20). Comparison of pre-treatment and post treatment results were evaluated in terms of pain, mouth opening, left and right side force percentage as recorded through Tek-Scan III and reduction of disclusion time. Statistical analysis was carried out with Kolmogorov Smirnov test, Wilcoxon matched pair test and Mann-Whitney U test.
RESULTS
Wilcoxon matched pairs test demonstrated that there was statistically significant results (
p = 0.0007) in both the groups for reduction of disclusion time, elimination of pain and improved mouth opening. Patients in Group I showed better results as compared to Group II in terms of disclusion time, pain and mouth opening.
CONCLUSIONS
Occlusal equilibration brought about by reducing the disclusion time using the Tek- Scan III reduced the symptoms of pain in masticatory muscles. Patients in group I (Selective grinding) however showed better results when compared to patients in group II (Stabilization splints).
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