Efficiency of occlusal splint therapy on orofacial muscle pain reduction: a systematic review

Sylwia Orzeszek; Marta Waliszewska-Prosol; Dominik Ettlin; Piotr Seweryn; Marcin Straburzynski; Paolo Martelletti; Andrej Jenca Jr; Mieszko Wieckiewicz

doi:10.1186/s12903-023-02897-0

Efficiency of occlusal splint therapy on orofacial muscle pain reduction: a systematic review

BMC Oral Health. 2023 Mar 28;23(1):180. doi: 10.1186/s12903-023-02897-0.

Authors

Sylwia Orzeszek¹, Marta Waliszewska-Prosol², Dominik Ettlin³, Piotr Seweryn¹, Marcin Straburzynski⁴, Paolo Martelletti⁵, Andrej Jenca Jr⁶, Mieszko Wieckiewicz⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Experimental Dentistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
² Department of Neurology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
³ Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
⁴ Department of Family Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland.
⁵ Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
⁶ Clinic of Stomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University Pavol Josef Safarik and Akademia Kosice, Kosice, Slovakia.
⁷ Department of Experimental Dentistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland. m.wieckiewicz@onet.pl.

Abstract

Background: This systematic review aims to examine the existing original studies to determine the effectiveness of occlusal splints (OSs) in the management of orofacial myalgia and myofascial pain (MP) in comparison with no treatment or other interventions.

Materials and methods: Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this systematic review, randomized controlled trials were qualified, in which the effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy in the management of muscle pain was examined in comparison with no treatment or other interventions. This systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020. The authors searched three databases (PubMed, CINAHL (The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) and Scopus) for English publications published between January 1, 2010, and June 1, 2022. The last database search was carried out on June 4, 2022. Data were extracted from the included studies and assessed for risk of bias using the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials.

Results: Thirteen studies were identified for inclusion in this review. In total, 589 patients were diagnosed with orofacial muscle pain who underwent education and various forms of therapy including different types of OSs, light emitting diode therapy, acupuncture, low-level laser therapy, device-supported sensorimotor training, Kinesio Taping, myofunctional therapy, and physical therapy. All studies included demonstrated a high risk of bias.

Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence regarding whether OS therapy in the treatment of orofacial myalgia and MP offers an advantage over other forms of interventions or no treatment. Further reliable clinical studies in this area are needed to improve the quality of research, which should be performed with larger groups of blinded respondents and controls.

Clinical relevance: Due to the large-scale nature of orofacial muscle pain, it is assumed that each dental clinician will meet patients with orofacial muscle pain repeatedly in daily practice; hence, the review of the effectiveness of OSs in the management of orofacial myalgia and MP is necessary.

Keywords: Muscle pain; Myalgia; Myofascial pain; Occlusal appliance; Occlusal splint; Orofacial pain; Temporomandibular disorders.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Facial Pain / therapy
Humans
Myalgia* / therapy
Occlusal Splints*