Therapy of displaced disk of the temporomandibular joint in relation to anxiety

Background and Purpose: Occlusal splint is the most frequent reversible and unspecific form of initial treatment of patients with disc displacement (DD) of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The purpose of this study was to determine the success in eliminating clinical symptoms in patients withDD after occlusal splint therapy, possibly depending on a level of anxiety. Materials and Methods: DD was diagnosed in 40 patients (mean age 35.5, 76% women) using Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders Axis I and was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the TMJs. Pain intensity was rated on a visual-analogue scale (VAS). The control group consisted of 25 asymptomatic volunteers (mean age 23.4, 72% women). The anxiety was confirmed by Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: By applying occlusal splint, a reduction of pain was achieved in 61% of TMJs. A higher level of anxiety was determined for all examined patients without statistically significant difference (p>0.05) with respect to asymptomatic volunteers. Also, success of splint treatment was not dependent on anxiety (p>0.05). Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) between patients with lower (<5) and higher (