Objective: The aim of this research was to assess the efficacy of stabilization splint (SS) therapy limited to myalgia compared with other treatments.
Materials and methods: Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) were searched electronically and manually from 1 January 2001 to 31 March 2019. The methodological quality of the retrieved articles was evaluated through the AMSTAR (Assessment of Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews) method.
Results: Only four articles were finally included: three SRs published in the same period (2001–2005), and a more recent MA (2014).
Conclusion: SSs could determine a significant improvement in pain-related symptoms in patients affected by myofascial pain compared with minimal or no treatment. No statistically significant difference was detected when comparing oral splints with placebo or alternative treatments. However, splint therapy does not seem to be more effective than alternative treatments not involving reversible occlusal therapy; most effective seems to be SSs combined with other treatments.
Keywords: occlusal splints, temporomandibular disorders, myalgia, masticatory muscles, systematic reviews, qualitative research, AMSTAR
