A Comparative Study on Efficacy of Three Different Treatment Modalities for Temporomandibular Joint Pain and Dysfunction

Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the efficacy of three treatment options (splint therapy, physical therapy, and pharmacologic therapy) in patients suffering from painful temporomandibular joint clicking. Materials and Methods: 60 patients were included in the study suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders randomly divided into three treatment groups. Twenty patients which were given pharmacological treatment (group I), 20 patients will received TENS therapy (group II), and 20 patients will be given splint therapy (group III). In all the three groups, subjective and objective assessments were evaluated at the time of diagnosis, after the first week of initiation of therapy and every week for three months of follow up. Results: There was gradual reduction seen in VAS scores, muscle tenderness, TMJ clicking and significant improvement in mouth opening in Group III therapy during the follow-up period as compared to Group I and Group II therapy. Conclusion: The conventional soft occlusal splint therapy is a much safer and effective mode of a conservative line of therapy in comparison to long-term pharmacotherapy and TENS therapy in patients with TMJ pain and dysfunction.