According to published literatures, the prevalence of TMD is approximately 10% in patients over 18 years of age with a considerable proportion being women of reproductive age. The treatment of TMD presents the following goals: decreasing joint and masticatory muscle pain, increasing the range of motion in the mandible, preventing degenerative changes in the articulating tissues. Management of TMD can be either conservative or surgical treatments, the conservative treatments include analgesia, medications, physical therapy, occlusal adjustment, splint therapy, localized steam application, and external muscle massage. The occlusal splint therapy is considered a common treatment option for TMD management. Flat stabilization splint is the preferred splint for such cases. It is designed to promote occlusal stability and decrease muscles tension by altering occlusion and allowing complete seating of the condyle in centric relation.
The evolution of digital technology created new era of dentistry that successfully digitalized the traditional workflow of occlusal splints including designing and manufacturing. Furthermore, virtual facebow and dynamic jaw relation record using jaw tracking device are another digital reward. The digital workflow can offer more predictable approach for occlusal splint construction, It could eliminate the traditional technical errors and enhance the occlusal accuracy
18-40 years old
Complete dentition.
Normal jaw opening.
Intact teeth.
Patients with systemic diseases which could affect TMJ, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthrosis, osteoporosis, and patients taking analgesic, muscle relaxant, or anti inflammatory drugs were excluded because such drugs could influence the results.
Temporomandibular joint lesions found on clinical palpation or medical imaging examination.
Jaw opening less than 3 fingers.
Patients with occlusal dysfunctions.