Quality of life evaluation of symptomatic TMJ patients during and after occlusal split therapy

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A. Sirbu
C. Szuhanek
O. Lucaciu
R. Bordea
C. Feurdean
R.S. Campian

Abstract

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders is a pathology that involve temporomandibular joint and masticator muscle. Numerous studies showed that TMJ pain is the second most common chronic musculoskeletal condition after chronic low back pain. In patients with TMJ pathology splint are used very often to release the pain and to put the mandible in centric relation. Materials and methods: For evaluation of the impact of splint therapy in the patient’s quality of life we have investigated 26 adult patients. We decided to use the qualitative statistical approach to evaluate the changes in the patient’s quality of life, since it is a qualitative perception rather than a quantitative one. Results: We compute the mean value m1 of the patient’s evaluation at question number 1 at each appointment. This parameter allows as to check the progress of the treatment and consequently the improvement of patient condition. We noticed a significant improvement of symptomatology. Conclusion: Patients that experience moderate pain at the beginning of the treatment are wearing the splint for more than 16 hours per day (grade 7 average), and those with severe pain for more than 20 hours per day (grade 9average). The most important thing is that on 90% of these cases, with severe and moderate pain, the pain disappears completely after 8 weeks.

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