Management of pain in TMD patients: Bio-oxidative ozone therapy versus occlusal splints

Objective: To compare the effects of bio-oxidative ozone application with occlusal splints in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients with pain.

Methods: Forty participants were selected after the diagnosis of TMD and randomly divided into two groups: ozone group (OG, n = 20) and occlusal splint group (OCSG, n = 20). Ozone was applied to patients three times per week, for a total of six sessions. Patients in the OCSG were instructed to use occlusal splints every night over a period of four weeks.

Results: Mandibular movements showed significant differences for the time factor in OG and OCSG. Pressure pain thresholds of the temporal and masseter muscles at follow-up were significantly higher in the OCSG group. Both treatments statistically decreased the visual analog scale (VAS) scores. However, no statistically significant difference was observed between groups after the application of treatments.

Discussion: Occlusal splint treatment is still the gold treatment modality for objective pain relief in patients with TMD pain.