Splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders: an overview

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of conditions affecting the temporomandibular joints, masticatory muscles, and associated structures. Occlusal splint therapy remains one of the most prescribed conservative interventions for the management of TMD. However, considerable debate persists regarding its mechanism of action, clinical indications, and comparative effectiveness relative to other conservative management strategies. This article provides an overview of splint therapy in the management of TMD, focusing on stabilisation splints, anterior repositioning splints, and Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Tension Suppression System (NTI-tss) appliances.