Occlusal treatments in temporomandibular disorders: a qualitative systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

摘要: Occlusal treatments (occlusal splints and occlusal adjustment) are controversial but widely used treatment methods for temporomandibular disorders (TMD). To investigate whether studies in agreement with current clinical practices, a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the period 1966 to March 1999 was undertaken. Eighteen met inclusion criteria, 14 on splint therapy, 4 adjustment. The were scored using quality scale presented by Antczak et al., 1986a (A.A. Antczak, J. Tang, T.C. Chalmers, Quality assessment control dental research. I. Methods, Periodontal Res. 1986a;21:305-314). overall fairly low, mean score 0.43/1.00 (range 0.12-0.78). most obvious methodological shortcomings inadequate blinding, small sample sizes, short follow-up times, great diversity outcome measures numerous treatments, some unknown effectiveness. Splint therapy found superior 3, comparable 12 or passive controls, respectively. adjustment 2 inferior one study. Because problems, only suggestive conclusions can be drawn. use may benefit TMD. Evidence is lacking. There an need well designed analyse practices.