| الوصف: |
Objective: To evaluate the short-term effects of hard and soft splints of different thicknesses on maximum bite force (MBF) and sleep quality (SQ) in participants with sleep bruxism (SB). Methods: One-hundred-fifteen patients were randomly allocated to five groups: Groups H2(Hard splint-2 mm), H3(Hard splint-3 mm), S2(Soft splint-2 mm), S3(Soft splint-3 mm), and C (control). Outcomes were MBF (assessed with a digital gnathodynamometer) and SQ (assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). Measurements were performed at T0 (before the splints), T1 (1-month follow-up), and T2 (2-months follow-up). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, and chi-square tests. Results: At T1, the highest MBF values were in group H3 (658.01 ± 22.6 N), while the lowest was in group S2 (585.45 ± 8.68 N). For T2, the highest values belonged to the H3 group (676.85 ± 21.9 N), and the lowest values were observed at group S2 (565.65 ± 10.9 N) (p< 0.05).For SQ, groups S2 and S3 revealed the lowest PSQI values at T1 (9.1; 9.6) and T2 (9; 9.5) (pConclusions: The use of both 2 and 3-mm thick soft splints resulted in a decrease in MBF. The improvement in SQ formed by the soft splint groups occurred in the 1st month and was maintained in the 2nd month. Clinical Relevance: This study provides clinical tips in terms of material type and thickness of the occlusal splint, which should be applied according to the needs of SB patients (such as improving SQ and regulating MBF). |
