Preliminary Evaluation and Analysis of Digital Occlusal Splint Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2026.05.006

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To introduce the manufacturing method and treatment process of a full-range digital occlusal splint in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders, and to evaluate its therapeutic effect preliminarily. Methods: From May 2023 to February 2025, 66 patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University were divided into three groups: anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR), anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR), and unilateral anterior disc displacement with reduction and unilateral anterior disc displacement without reduction. A non-parametric test was used to analyze the changes of visual analog scale scores for pain, diet, mandibular function, and quality of life and maximum interincisal opening before and at least 8 weeks after digital occlusal splint treatment (α=0.05). Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference of treatment efficiency among the three groups (α=0.05). Results: Sixty-six patients (19 males and 47 females) were enrolled, with a mean±standard deviation age of (25.92±9.92) years and a mean ± standard deviation follow-up of (10.92±11.27) weeks. After the digital occlusal splint treatment, the pain, diet, mandibular function, and quality of life were significantly improved (P<0.05), with effective rates of 73.2%, 76.9%, 71.9%, and 74.1%, respectively. Compared to patients with ADDwoR, patients with ADDwR had better mandibular function improvement after digital occlusal splint treatment (P=0.005). Conclusion: The clinical effect of digital occlusal splint in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders is significant. For ADDwR patients with mandibular dysfunction, the therapeutic effect of digital occlusal splint is better.

Key words: temporomandibular disorders, digital occlusal splint, anterior disc displacement with reduction, anterior disc displacement without reduction

WEI Yunpeng, GUO Ruitong, MENG Jiali, CHEN Yun, SHI Peihua, YI Yingjie, WU Guofeng, ZHAO Sufeng. Preliminary Evaluation and Analysis of Digital Occlusal Splint Therapy for Temporomandibular Disorders[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2026, 42(5): 391-397.

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