Abstract
We applied an occlusal splint in patients who might have had an unconscious daytime clenching habit (DCH) or teeth contacting habit (TCH), so that they could recognize their habit. A self-administered questionnaire regarding the existence and occurrence of DCH or TCH was completed by 95 patients after wearing an occlusal splint during the daytime for 2 weeks. Twenty-four percent of the patients were not aware of their habit before they wore an occlusal splint. Twenty-one percent of the patients were "sometimes", 31% were "often" and 24% were "always" aware of their habit. All of the patients who were not aware of their habit recognized their habit after wearing an occlusal splint. Eighty-five percent of the patients were "sometimes", 87% of the patients were "often" and 83% of the patients were "always" aware of their habit after wearing an occlusal splint. The results showed that they recognized their habit when they were thinking, commuting by train, using a PC, writing something and during other daytime activities.
We measured the maximum mouth opening (MMO) without pain of 42 patients clinically diagnosed as "closed lock" at their first visit, and 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks thereafter. The patients received treatment such as mouth-opening exercises with administration of painkillers, pumping manipulation, and application of an occlusal splint so they could recognize their habit. The results showed that their MMO was increased significantly between the first visit, and visits at two weeks and at two to four weeks. Our results are similar or better in terms of the period of time until their MMO exceeded 40 mm with those of other hospitals. These results suggest that the application of an occlusal splint in patients who might have DCH or TCH could be an effective method of biobehavioral modification.
