The use of an oral exercise device in the treatment of muscular TMD.

Forty-five patents with a primary diagnosis of muscular MD were evaluated and treated in a university based facial pain center. The patients were equally and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Group 1 patients were treated with traditional therapies appropriate for the particular patent. Group two patients used similar therapies that were appropriate for the patient but also had an oral vertical exercise device integrated into their therapy. Patients in the third group were instructed in home care, educated about TMD, and instructed in the use of the oral exercise device. Results indicated that all three groups demonstrated significant overall patient clinical and subjective improvement. The three groups did not differ significantly from each other in degree of patient improvement.