What do systematic reviews say?

Occlusal splint vs Physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training, laser, TENS, manual therapy)

Occlusal splint led to lower participant satisfaction or quality of life compared with physical therapy (ultrasound, exercise, sensorimotor training,…; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Short term (1 month) · Mixed TMD
  MD -7.56 [-14.50, -0.63]
  2 studies · 75 participants
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs acupuncture

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in participant satisfaction or quality of life compared with acupuncture; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Short term (1 month) · Mixed TMD
  MD 0.80 [-7.36, 8.96]
  1 study · 30 participants
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action

Occlusal splint led to lower participant satisfaction or quality of life compared with another occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Short term (3 months) · Mixed TMD
  MD -2.29 [-3.13, -1.45]
  1 study · 40 participants
  GRADE not reported

Occlusal splint vs Behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care management)

Occlusal splint showed no clear difference in participant satisfaction or quality of life compared with behavioural therapy (counselling, CBT, relaxation, self-care…; GRADE not reported.

• Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders 2024 · Cochrane All outcomes

  Short term (1 month) · Mixed TMD
  MD -1.42 [-15.78, 12.94]
  2 studies · 73 participants
  GRADE not reported

Analgesic (any: NSAID, paracetamol, local anaesthetic or opioid) vs placebo or control

• Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
  Reported narratively by 2 studies (Wang 2012: SF-36 and SAS - significant reduction in SF-36 bodily pain at 30 days vs baseline, no significant between-group differences; Minor 2009: STAI and PANAS - no significant…
  2 studies
  GRADE not reported

NSAID (systemic) vs paracetamol

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No studies in this comparison reported this outcome.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Topical NSAID (ketoprofen lysinate mouthwash, 160 mg) vs Topical NSAID (benzidamine hydrochloride mouthwash, 22.5 mg)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
  The study did not report this outcome.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Ibuprofen taken pre-emptively (about 1 hour before treatment) vs Ibuprofen taken post-treatment

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No studies in this comparison reported this outcome.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Topical NSAID (ketoprofen chewing gum) vs Local anaesthetic (benzocaine chewing gum)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Pharmacological interventions for pain relief during orthodontic treatment 2017 · Cochrane All outcomes
  The study did not report this outcome.
  0 studies
  No studies found