NCT07511335

Dry Needling Versus Stabilization Splint Therapy in Bruxism Associated Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders

Dry Needling Versus Stabilization Splint Therapy in Bruxism Associated Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders: A Prospective Comparative Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (actual)
• Sponsor: Kocaeli University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This prospective comparative clinical study included 40 patients diagnosed with myofascial TMD who met the diagnostic criteria for bruxism established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Participants were allocated into two groups according to treatment preference: stabilization splint therapy or dry needling. Maximum mouth opening (MMO), pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oral Health Impact Profile for TMD (OHIP-TMD) scores were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.

Conditions

• Bruxism
• Dry Needling
• Stabilization Splint

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	Stabilization Splint	A maxillary hard acrylic stabilization splint was fabricated to provide uniform occlusal contacts in centric occlusion. Patients were instructed to use the splint for at least two-thirds of the day over a period of 6 months, except during eating and oral hygiene procedures. Monthly follow-up visits were conducted for occlusal adjustments.
PROCEDURE	Dry Needling	Dry needling was applied to the masseter and temporalis muscles using sterile acupuncture needles. The procedure targeted myofascial trigger points and was performed in three sessions at 1-week intervals. Needles were inserted into the identified نقاط and manually stimulated during each session.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-02-26
• Primary completion: 2021-06-21
• Completion: 2022-01-31
• First posted: 2026-04-06
• Last updated: 2026-04-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)