Summary Review/Temporomandibular Disorders
Evidence-Based Dentistry (2008) 10, 23–23. doi:10.1038/sj.ebd.6400635
The NTI-tss device may be used successfully in the management of bruxism and TMD
Question: Is the NTI-tss device effective in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders and bruxism?
Address for correspondence: Jens C. Türp, Clinic for Reconstructive Dentistry and Temporomandibular Disorders, Dental School, Hebelstrasse 3, 4056 Basel, Switzerland. E-mail: jens.tuerp@unibas.ch
Asbjørn Jokstad1
1Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Stapelmann H, Türp JC. The NTI-tss device for the therapy of bruxism, temporomandibular disorders, and headache — where do we stand? A qualitative systematic review of the literature. BMC Oral Health 2008 29; 8: 22.
Abstract
Data Sources
The Cochrane Library, Medline, TRIP database, MEDPILOT.DE, BIREME, several German-language journals, Google Scholar, the Web of Science, NTI-tss-associated websites , references of relevant articles and the MAUDE database of adverse events.
Study selection
Randomised controlled trials (RCT) were included and their quality was assessed using the Jadad score.
Data extraction and synthesis
A qualitative synthesis was carried out.
Results
Nine out of 68 relevant publications reported the results of five different RCT. Two RCT concentrated on electromyographic (EMG) investigations in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and concomitant bruxism or with bruxism alone. In both studies, the NTI-tss device showed significant reduction of EMG activity compared with use of an occlusal stabilisation splint. Two RCT focused exclusively on TMD patients: in one, a stabilisation appliance led to greater improvement than use of an NTI-tss device, whereas in the other no difference was found. In a further RCT, participants who suffered from tension-type headaches or migraines responded more favourably to the NTI-tss splint than to a bleaching tray. NTI-tss-induced complications related predominantly to single teeth or to the occlusion.
Conclusions
Evidence from RCT suggests that the NTI-tss device may be successfully used for the management of bruxism and TMD. To avoid potential unwanted effects, it should be chosen only if the practitioner is certain a patient will be compliant with follow-up appointments. The NTI-tss bite splint may be justified when a reduction of jaw closer muscle activity (eg, jaw clenching or tooth grinding) is desired, or as an emergency device when people have acute temporomandibular pain and, possibly, restricted jaw opening.
