Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38690507›Full record

ArticleCureus2024

Effectiveness of Occlusal Splint Therapy in Moderating Temporomandibular Joint Disorders With Joint Displacement: A Retrospective Analysis Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Abin Mathew, Vivek Cr, Alexander Ka, Dwijesh Goswami, Tony Antony, Rakhi Bharat

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Cureus, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
3.5field-weighted citation impact, top 8% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 7 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.

Abin MathewDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Grace Dental Care, Kottayam, IND.
Vivek CrDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Maaruti College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru, IND.
Alexander KaDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Modern Smile Care Clinic & Medical Centre, Trivandrum, IND.
Dwijesh GoswamiDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Ahmedabad Dental College & Hospital, Ahmedabad, IND.
Tony AntonyDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Ambookens Specialty Dental Clinic, Kochi, IND.
Rakhi BharatDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Index Institute of Dental Sciences, Indore, IND.
Government Medical College · INAhmedabad Civil Hospital · INIndex Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre · INMaaruti College of Dental sciences & Research Center · INSmile Train · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) represent a prevalent group of conditions impacting the temporomandibular joint. Among the therapeutic interventions, occlusal splint therapy has gained recognition for its potential to address TMD symptoms, particularly in cases involving joint displacement. Objective This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of occlusal splint therapy in cases of moderate TMD with joint displacement, focusing on changes in condylar position, joint morphology, and patient-reported outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted involving 148 participants who underwent occlusal splint therapy between January 2018 and December 2020. Data were collected through cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging for precise assessments of condylar position and joint morphology. Ethical approval was obtained, and participants provided informed consent. Baseline characteristics, medical history, and TMD severity were recorded. Occlusal splint therapy included individualized fabrication, occlusal analysis, adjustments for optimal fit, and prescribed wear schedules. Follow-up included CBCT scans at specified intervals (three months and six months), with participant-reported outcomes collected. The data analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Paired t-tests or nonparametric equivalents were employed to assess changes in condylar position and joint morphology. Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore potential factors influencing treatment outcomes. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. Results The entire cohort (n = 148) had a mean age of 32.5 years (± 8.1), with a balanced gender distribution. Changes in condylar position revealed a statistically significant improvement (p = 0.03), with a mean decrease of 0.2 mm posttreatment. Joint morphology changes indicated increased joint space width (p = 0.01), improved disc position (p = 0.02), and nonsignificant alterations in bony structures (p = 0.10). Patient-reported outcomes demonstrated significant improvements in pain levels, jaw functionality, and satisfaction (all p < 0.001). Age and gender subgroup analyses showed consistent improvements in condylar position, joint morphology, and patient-reported outcomes across different groups. Conclusion Occlusal splint therapy demonstrated effectiveness in improving condylar position, joint morphology, and patient-reported outcomes in cases of moderate TMD with joint displacement. The findings underscore the potential of occlusal splint therapy as a viable intervention for managing TMD, providing valuable insights for clinicians and researchers.

Indexed as

condylar positioncone beam computed tomographyocclusal splint therapyorthodonticstemporomandibular joint disorders

Identifiers

PMID38690507
PMCPMC11059150
OpenAlexW4393354315

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.