The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two physiotherapy modalities of treatment (TENS and US) with intraoral stabilization splints in the management of TMD patients. A sample of 57 patients (9 male and 48 female) in the age range of 16-52 years, with confirmed TMD diagnosis were chosen in a systematic random basis (2 cases/week). Patients were allocated randomly into two main groups, a physiotherapy group and intraoral stabilization splint group. The physiotherapy group was further divided randomly into two subgroups. The first received TENS treatment and the second one received "US" treatment. The patient on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) did a rating of pain. A significant decline in pain scores (P<0.05) was observed in both physiotherapy and intraoral stabilization splint TMD groups from the first to the last fourth visit. However, no significant difference (P<0.05) was observed between the use of physiotherapy and intraoral stabilization splint in the treatment of TMD. Ultrasound therapy in this study was found to be more effective in the treatment of TMD compared to TENS therapy.

Saudi Dental Journal 2004:16(1)16-20.