Evaluación comparativa de la eficacia de férulas digitales y de acetato en estudiantes con bruxismo.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the response to treatment with rigid digital splints and determine their effectiveness compared to acetate splints in students with bruxism enrolled in the Dentistry program at the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil (UCSG). Materials and methods: A prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental observational study. The final sample consisted of 70 students diagnosed with bruxism from the first to the tenth cycle. Rigid digital and rigid acetate splints were manufactured. Quality of life (OHIP-14), pain intensity, and subjective perceptions of treatment were assessed. Results: After 90 days, in the dimension “functional limitation” the differences observed between before and after were significant (before 2.0 and after 1.0; p < 0.001), physical pain (before 3.0 and after 2.0; p < 0.001), psychological discomfort (before 3.0 and after 2.0; p < 0.001), psychological disability (before 2.0 and after 0.0; p < 0.001), physical disability (before 2.0 and after 0.0; p < 0.001), social disability (before 2.0 and after 0.0; p < 0.001) and social disadvantage (before 1.5 and after 0.0; p < 0.001), indicating a significant decrease in the impact on quality of life after the application of the splints. Conclusion: It was shown that the use of rigid splints is an effective therapeutic alternative in the management of sleep and wakefulness bruxism, reducing painful symptoms and improving the quality of life related to students' oral health.