PURPOSE: The occlusal splint has been used for many years as an effective treatment of sleep bruxism. Several methods have been used to evaluate efficiency of the occlusal splints. However, the effect of the occlusal splints on occlusal force has not been clarified sufficiently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of occlusal splints on maximum occlusal force in patients with sleep bruxism and compare two type of splints that are Bruxogard-soft splint and canine protected hard stabilization splint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve students with sleep bruxism were participated in the present study. All participants used two different occlusal splints during sleep for 6 weeks. Maximum occlusal force was measured with two miniature strain-gage transducers before, 3 and 6 weeks after insertion of occlusal splints. Clinical examination of temporomandibular disorders was performed for all individuals according to the Craniomandibular Index (CMI) before and 6 weeks after the insertion of splints. The changes in mean occlusal force before, 3 and 6 weeks after insertion of both splints were analysed with paired sample t-test. The Wilcoxon test was used for the comparison of the CMI values before and 6 weeks after the insertion of splints. RESULTS: Participants using stabilization splints showed no statistically significant changes in occlusal force before, 3, and 6 weeks after insertion of splint (P>.05) and participants using Bruxogard-soft splint had statistically significant decreased occlusal force 6 weeks after insertion of splint (P<.05). There was statistically significant improvement in the CMI value of the participants in both of the splint groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Participants who used Bruxogard-soft splint showed decreases in occlusal force 6 weeks after insertion of splint. The use of both splints led to a significant reduction in the clinical symptoms.
Bite Force* ; Humans ; Occlusal Splints* ; Pilot Projects* ; Sleep Bruxism* ; Splints ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Transducers

INTRODUCTIONSpiral and oblique fractures of distal 1/3 of tibia-fibula are relatively common fractures of long bones. Due to their types, aetiology, limited coverage and blood supply, these fractures often lead to union and soft tissue problems.

MATERIALS AND METHODSTwenty-seven patients with spiral and oblique fractures of distal 1/3 of tibia-fibula were treated with circular external fixator (CEF) between January 1997 and August 2000. All the fractures were closed. The type of fractures based on AO classification were A1 (n = 8), A2 (n = 6), B1 (n = 11) and C1 (n = 2).

RESULTSThe mean framing time was 14.1 +/- 1.8 weeks (range, 12 to 19 weeks), and the mean treatment time was 18.8 +/- 2.2 weeks (range, 15 to 24 weeks). The patients were followed up for 36 to 78 months (mean follow-up time: 51.9 +/- 10.4 months). The results were evaluated for shortness, angulation, rotation, ankle stiffness, pain and infection. After removal of the frames, 11 patients had ankle pain and stiffness, and 3 patients had loss of range of motion in the ankle even after rehabilitation. None of the patients suffered any complications such as shortness, angulation, rotational deformity and infection, and none had loss of motion in the knee.

CONCLUSIONSCEF might be a preferable alternative treatment for distal tibia-fibula fractures due to its easy application, fewer major complications such as shortness and angulation, early mobilisation and shorter treatment time.

Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Aged ; Athletic Injuries ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Fractures, Bone ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Fractures, Malunited ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Pilot Projects ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tibial Fractures ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Turkey