Dry Needling Versus Stabilization Splint Therapy in Bruxism Associated Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders

Dry Needling Versus Stabilization Splint Therapy in Bruxism Associated Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders: A Prospective Comparative Study

This prospective comparative clinical study included 40 patients diagnosed with myofascial TMD who met the diagnostic criteria for bruxism established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Participants were allocated into two groups according to treatment preference: stabilization splint therapy or dry needling. Maximum mouth opening (MMO), pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oral Health Impact Profile for TMD (OHIP-TMD) scores were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged ≥18 years
• Clinical presence of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms (e.g., joint sounds such as clicking, and/or limited mouth opening)
• Diagnosis of bruxism according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria
• Moderate to severe pain in the masseter and/or temporalis muscles, defined as a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score ≥3.5

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of connective tissue disorders or autoimmune diseases
• Current use of systemic steroids, muscle relaxants, or narcotic (opioid) medications
• History of neuromuscular disorders
• Previous temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery
• History of significant TMJ trauma
• Presence of dentofacial deformities
• Any condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, may interfere with study participation or outcome assessment