Clinical and Electromyographic Assessment of Occlusal Splint Therapy

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) cause pain and dysfunction in the masticatory system, often managed with occlusal splint therapy. However, splint therapy alone may yield inconsistent results. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been proposed as an adjunctive treatment to enhance pain relief and muscle function through photo biomodulation. Evidence comparing the efficacy of splint therapy alone versus its combination with LLLT remains limited. This study aims to evaluate, clinically and electromyographically. The evidence for occlusal splints is mixed: some systematic reviews report possible short-term benefits for muscle pain but overall the evidence is inconclusive and of variable quality. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been studied for TMD and orofacial pain with several systematic reviews and meta-analyses showing potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, though study heterogeneity exists. EMG will be used for measurement of muscle activity before and after occlusal splint and low level laser in patients with pain in TMJ.