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Efficacy of Myomonitor TENS

Westerberg George A., Dinham, Richard, DMD. “The Myo-monitor and the myofacial pain dysfunction syndrome.”  Journa f the hawaii Dental Association. Vol. 10 No 2, Aug. 1977.

Thirty patients presented symptoms associated with the Myo-facial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome.  All of these patients recieved Myo-monitor oriented therapy and nearly all of them professed some initial relief or total remission of their symptoms during the short time span of this study.

The data presented is based largely on clinical observations and patient response to comparison of their symptoms before and after treatment. Symptoms evaluated were generally related to muscle tenderness and mandibular mobility.

It is concluded that:

  1. The centric occlusion position is seldom coincident with the myo-centric position of occlusion in patients who exhibit symptoms associated with Myo-facial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome.
  2. A Myo-monitor generated occlusal position affords some relief if not complete remission of symptoms in 90% of cases treated.
  3. Long-term follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate the success of treatment.

Wessberg, George A., DDS, Carroll, Wesley L., DDS, et al., “Transcutaneous electricla stimulation as an adjunct in the management of myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome.” The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Vol. 45, No. 3, March 1981.

This study evaluates the immediate and long-term results of a muscularly oriented treatment regimen for symptoms of the MPD syndrome.  Data obtained from post-treatment evaluation of 21 patients treated with TENS demonstrated a success rate of 95% immediately and 86% after 1 year.  Our data demonstrated a very high incidence of lateral pterygoid muscle dysfunction (85.7%).  This suggests that discrepancies in the transverse and anteriooposterior position of the mandible relative to centric occlusion are not well tolerated.  Elimination of these discrepancies in maxillomandibular relations via TENS and occlusal adjustment or occlusal splint placement appears to promote the long-term relief of muscle symptomology.  Attempts should be made to eliminate the splint after the patient becomes asymptomatic for 30 days, as many individuals may function satisfactorily in their existing habitual occlusion once the myospasm subside.  Comparison of these results with other reports in the literature is quite favorable.  However, few authors present data of long-term follow up for other treatment modalities.

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