Objectives

  To detect whether stabilization splint (SS) treatment of painful myofascial type temporomandibular diseases (TMD) changes the masseter muscle morphology using ultrasound (US).

 Study design

  Thirty-five patients with painful myofascial TMD receiving SS treatment were studied. Masseter thickness, length, internal echo–fibrillary structure and vascularization were evaluated using gray-scale and power Doppler US just before and 3 months after the SS application. Visual analog scale (VAS) and mouth opening measurements were used to measure the outcome of treatment.

 Results

 A significant shortening in the masseter muscle length (R: −3.67 mm, P: .010 L: −3.97 mm, P: .005) and thickness (R: −0.93 mm, P: .005 L: −0.90 mm, P: .016) was noted. No change in the internal echo-fibrillary structure or vascularization was detected. A significant decrease in VAS scores (Median: 5-0.5 P < .05) and mouth opening (42.77 ± 7.86 mm to 38.69 ± 6.21, P < .05) was also detected.

 Conclusion

  SSs modify and reduce the dimensions of masseter muscle.

 Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology

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