What do systematic reviews say?

Occlusal splint vs Behaviour therapy (sleep hygiene, relaxation, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Behaviour therapy remained a planned comparator, but no included trial compared occlusal splint with behaviour therapy; no eligible study.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Landry 2006): occlusal splint 79 mm, MAD free 41 mm, MAD min 15 mm, MAD max 12 mm; the occlusal splint was rated most comfortable.
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in awakenings per hour compared with palatal splint; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 0.40 [-2.51, 3.31]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in clicks in TMJ on oral opening and closing compared with transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS); GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 0.60 [0.19, 1.92]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported
• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  RR 1.00 [0.33, 3.02]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs no treatment

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in increase in the size of wear facets (canine teeth) compared with no treatment; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes

  children (age 3 to 5 years)
  RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported
• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes

  6 months of follow up · children (age 3 to 5 years)
  RR 0.20 [0.03, 1.15]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in arousal index compared with palatal splint; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 1.22 [-3.61, 6.05]
  2 studies · 39 participants
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Placebo

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Placebo remained a planned comparator in the review methods (Types of interventions), but none of the five included trials compared occlusal splint with placebo; no eligible study.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in episodes with grinding noise compared with palatal splint; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 0.90 [-10.19, 11.99]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in sleep bruxism episodes per hour of sleep compared with mandibular advancement device; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes

  MAD in 75% advancement (MAD max)
  MD 5.9
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS)

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Occlusal splint versus TENS, headaches (Alvarez-Arenal 2002): the event did not occur in either group, so the risk ratio was not estimable (Risk Ratio, M-H, Fixed, 95% CI; subtotals only).
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Mandibular advancement device

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Occlusal splint versus mandibular advancement device, preference (Landry 2006): 12 of 13 participants preferred the occlusal splint over the mandibular advancement device (MAD free); a higher proportion of benefitted…
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Occlusal splint versus palatal splint, comfort (median VAS 0 to 100 mm) (Dube 2004): occlusal splint 79.3 (SD 4.7) mm versus palatal splint 77.8 (8.1) mm; both rated as equally comfortable. No participant reported dry…
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Occlusal splint versus palatal splint, preference (Dube 2004): all participants preferred the palatal splint rather than the occlusal splint; 71% felt the occlusal splint offered greater protection for their teeth. At…
  1 study
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Palatal splint

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in number of bruxism episodes per hour of sleep (Epi/h) compared with palatal splint; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal splints for treating sleep bruxism (tooth grinding) 2007 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 0.54 [-10.95, 12.93]
  1 study
  GRADE not reported