Dry Needling Versus Stabilization Splint Therapy in Bruxism Associated Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders

This prospective comparative clinical study included 40 patients diagnosed with myofascial TMD who met the diagnostic criteria for bruxism established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Participants were allocated into two groups according to treatment preference: stabilization splint therapy or dry needling. Maximum mouth opening (MMO), pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oral Health Impact Profile for TMD (OHIP-TMD) scores were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment.