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 analysis of variance(ANOVA), Tukey’s HSD, and chi-square tests (alpha = 0.05).
Results
At T1, the highest MBF values were observed in group H3 (658.01 ± 22.6 N), while the lowest in group S2 (585.45 ± 8.68 N). For T2, the highest values were obtained in H3 group (676.85 ± 21.9 N), and the lowest in 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) (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The short-term use of both 2 and 3-mm thick soft splints resulted in a decrease in MBF. Improvement in SQ in patients using soft splints was observed in the 1st month and was maintained in the 2nd month.
Clinical Relevance
This study provides insights on short-term clinical effects as regards to increased sleep quality and regulated maximum bite force as a function of splint material type and the thickness of the splint.
