Background and Aims: Temporomandibular disorders refer to a set of musculoskeletal problems that affect the temporomandibular joint, masticatory muscles, and surrounding anatomical structures. These disorders are associated with symptoms such as pain, click, asymmetry, or reduced maximum opening. The etiology of many temporomandibular disorders is complex, for this reason the initial treatments must be reversible and non-invasive. The use of OCCLUSAL SPLINTS is effective in reducing symptoms, and therefore, it is recommended in early and even long-term treatment of these disorders. These appliances play major role in developing conditions such as stabilizing joint position, creating favorable OCCLUSAL conditions that lead to normal muscle function, and protecting teeth and supporting structures against dental wear. The purpose of this article was to present a comprehensive review of OCCLUSAL SPLINTS in Persian language. Materials and Methods: A search on Pubmed and Google scholar databases was done and the keywords "OCCLUSAL SPLINTS" and "temporomandibular disorders" were used. The inclusion criterion was articles published in English in the field of the types of OCCLUSAL splint between 1980 and 2020. Conclusion:  In this review, the OCCLUSAL SPLINTS and their applications have been introduced.The success or failure of treatment with OCCLUSAL SPLINTS depends on various factors such as the correct selection of patients, the process of manufacturing, OCCLUSAL adjustment of SPLINTS, and the patients’ cooperation.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of OCCLUSAL SPLINTS created at different bite registration conditions using two intraoral scanners. Methods: Dental arches were mounted in the maximum intercuspation position and scanned using Trios 3 and Medit i700 scanners under three conditions: closed mouth position, and open bite to 4 mm with or without bite registration material. Eight SPLINTS were printed for each bite registration mode and scanner type (total=48), using a Phrozen 3D printer. The SPLINTS were placed on the model and scanned using a desktop scanner. The scans were superimposed on the digital file of the designed splint. The root mean square (RMS) deviation was calculated to represent the discrepancy between the designed and printed SPLINTS. The distance between the splint and the mandibular teeth was also measured. Data analysis was performed using a two-way ANOVA (α=0.05). Results: Bite registration mode did not affect the RMS and the distance between the splint and the mandibular teeth (P>0.05). The scanner type did not influence the RMS values and posterior and total distance between the splint and the mandibular teeth (P>0.05). However, using the Trios 3 scanner led to a significantly greater distance between the splint and the mandibular teeth in the anterior region compared to that of the Medit i700 scanner (P=0.016). Conclusions: Bite registration condition did not affect the accuracy of OCCLUSAL SPLINTS. SPLINTS fabricated with the Medit i700 scanner had a better anterior fit than those scanned with the Trios 3 scanner.

Background and Aim: In clinical practice it is commonly assumed that OCCLUSAL SPLINTS have therapeutic value in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), however there is still lack of sufficient evidence to support this claim. The purpose of this double-blind study was to evaluate the short-term (8-week) efficacy of a stabilization splint in subjects with temporomandibular disorders seeking treatment.Materials and Methods: Seventeen TMD patients were treated with stabilization SPLINTS for eight weeks. In addition to filling out questionnaires, all patients underwent a preoperative and postoperative clinical-functional investigation of the masticatory system. Qualitative data were analyzed using Fisher exact and Chi-square tests and Wilcoxon signed ranks test was applied to report quantitative data.Results: A statistically significant decrease was observed postoperatively in the Helkimo clinical dysfunction index (P=0.000) as well as the anamnestic dysfunction index (P=0.020). In addition there was a statistically significant decrease in muscle tenderness, after treatment (P=.002).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the use of a stabilization splint is beneficial in treatment of the signs and symptoms of TMD, and especially has a positive effect on muscle tenderness.

Introduction: The effectiveness of two soft and hard splint thicknesses in reducing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction was compared. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with TMJ pain and dysfunction were randomly assigned to four groups (n=15),the patients treated with hard OCCLUSAL SPLINTS of 1 and 3mm thicknesses were assigned to Groups A and B, respectively, and those treated with soft OCCLUSAL SPLINTS of 1 and 3mm thicknesses were assigned to Groups C and D, respectively. Maximum mouth opening (MMO) and the severity of pain based on the visual analog scale (VAS) were assessed before treatment and after 7, 30 and 90 days. Results: After both 7 and 30 days, no significant differences were found between the groups for any variable (P>0. 05). However, Group C had a significantly lower MMO compared to Groups A and B after 90 days (P=0. 001). Additionally, and in relation to masticatory muscle pain, Group C had a significantly higher VAS score than other groups (P<0. 05). The VAS score for TMJ pain at rest was also significantly higher in Group C compared to Groups A and B (P<0. 05). Conclusion: A 3-mm hard OCCLUSAL splint seems to be the best treatment to reduce pain and dysfunction of the TMJ.

Purpose: Electromyography of the muscle may provide information about the Amount of calf muscle activation in patients with shin SPLINTS. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of calf muscle Electromyography in male athletes with and without shin SPLINTS. Methods: Thirty physical education students were recruited for this study. The Electromyography of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius (internal and external) muscles was measured by Biovision Electromyography in dorsiflexion and plantar flexion position, respectively. Statistical analysis was done by independent t-test at a significant level of p≤ 0. 05. Results: No significant difference was found between two groups in the electromyography of tibialis anterior (p=0. 054), medial gastrocnemius (p=0. 07) and lateral gastrocnemius (p=0. 11). However, significant difference was observed in electrical activity ratio of tibialis anterior to gastrocnemius between groups (p=0. 01). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that imbalance between tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles may be the cause of shin SPLINTS. Therefore, it is possible that the patients can train without pain by rebalancing between these muscles.

Hallux valgus or the lateral deviation of the great toe is a complex disease. If it is not treated, it will cause the deviation of other toes. Hallux valgus is three times more common in females and may cause uncomfortable deformity of the foot, problems in putting on unsuitable and narrow toe box shoes, and pain on the medial side of the first metatarsophalangeal joint; therefore, patients seek medical services. Untreated hallux valgus may cause the hammer toe deformity of the second toe. In this cohort study, 30 patients referring to the Orthopedic Clinic of Shohada Ashayer Hospital of Khorramabad, Iran, with a complaint of hallux valgus were randomly divided into two groups.The SPLINTS designed by the researches (slippers SPLINTS) were given to the case group, and the SPLINTS on the market including night SPLINTS and interdigital pads were given to the control group. The patients were followed every three months for a year and every time the weight bearing anteroposterior radiography of both feet were taken and hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles were measured. The data was analyzed by the SPSS software using repeated measure tests.In the case group that used the designed SPLINTS regularly, hallux valgus angles decreased more dramatically than in the control group (P<0.001). This study showed that, despite controversies over the nonoperative treatment of hallux valgus, if hallux valgus angle in patient is mild to moderate, the splint can be used as a nonoperative treatment.

Background and objectives: The second common source of orofacial pain is temporomandibular disorder (TMD). OCCLUSAL SPLINTS are prevalently applied to manage symptomatic TMD. This study aimed to discuss the types, characteristics, fabrication, and application of OCCLUSAL SPLINTS. Materials and methods: A structured search was carried out, including PubMed and Scopus databases with additional integration from external sources to March 2020. To meet the inclusion criteria, studies published in English involving randomized clinical trials, review articles, and experimental studies, starting from the 215 identified records, 75 items were finally included for the review. Results: The critical step in treatment of patient with pain, malfunction, and discomfort is to determine the primary etiology. The two most commonly used SPLINTS are stabilization and anterior positioning appliances. Other types include anterior or posterior bite plane, pivoting appliance, and soft or resilient appliance. Conclusion: There are various SPLINTS in the literature,a dentist must select the appropriate one with predictive success based on the specific diagnosed TMD type.

Temporomandibular joint disorder with myofascial origin has a high prevalence among other types of this disorder. Two treatments prescribed for Temporomandibular joint disorder would be low-level laser therapy and OCCLUSAL SPLINTS. The purpose of this review is to compare the effects of LLLT and OCCLUSAL SPLINTS for the treatment of TMD patients with myofascial pain.The literature search was done by specific terms in Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases and the studies were reviewed by two authors based on inclusion criteria. From 86 articles gained by the search 6 have remained after the evaluation of authors. Based on the reviewed studies and within the diversity of the methods used by the researchers, it could be concluded that both LLLT and OCCLUSAL splint would be equally a proper treatment for patients suffering from TMD with myofascial pain.