Dynasplint Therapy for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer

Dynasplint Therapy for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of the Dynasplint Trismus System to routine trismus treatment in improving the ability of opening the mouth in a randomized trial. This study will also determine what effects, good and/or bad, this procedure has on the participant. Participants will be randomly assigned to the Dynasplint Trismus System or to routine treatment with tongue depressors.

This trial is a single-institution, randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Dynasplint Trismus System (DTS) for patients with trismus. Improvement of mouth opening and quality of life of participants using DTS will be compared to improvement of mouth opening and quality of life of participants using standard therapy. Standard therapy will be the use of tongue depressors. Crossover from standard therapy to DTS will be implemented if at three months there is no improvement in mouth opening when using tongue depressors.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with <= 30mm mouth opening who have undergone treatment for head and neck cancer. (If the patient is edentulous then mouth opening must be <= 40mm.)
2. Patients who are receiving or have completed treatment for head and neck cancer (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy alone or in any combination).
3. Patients must be completely recovered from any radiation induced oral mucositis.
4. Age =>19 years.
5. Patients must sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe periodontal or gum disease that has caused teeth to be loose.
2. Any systemic disease that causes blistering of the oral mucosa.
3. Any condition that renders the patient unable to understand the informed consent.
4. Participants who are not able to comply with protocol activities.