|
Title |
Treating TMD Can Relieve Non-Otologic Otalgia |
Clinical Question |
In an otherwise healthy patient, will providing TMD therapy, compared to no therapy, result in relief of non-otologic otalgia? (See Comments on the CAT below) |
Clinical Bottom Line |
Patients seeking treatment for non-otologic otalgia may find relief from TMD therapy. (See Comments on the CAT below) |
Best Evidence |
(you may view more info by clicking on the PubMed ID link) |
PubMed ID |
Author / Year |
Patient Group |
Study type
(level of evidence) |
#1) 11050868 | Wright/2000 | U.S. Air Force otologic patients | Case Series | Key results | U.S. Air Force patients with complaints of tinnitus, dizziness, and/or nonotologic otalgia without known cause were treated with a dental orthotic and given TMD self-care instructions. Based on 3 and 6 month follow-up, the authors concluded that these patients may benefit from conservative, reversible TMD therapy. | #2) 18468271 | de FelĂcio/2008 | eight asymptomatic subjects and 20 subjects with articular TMD | Randomized Controlled Trial | Key results | Subjects were randomly assigned to control or orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) groups. The authors found that a reduction of otologic symptoms was seen only in the OMT group. | #3) 12222651 | Kuttila/2002 | 36 subjects | Randomized Controlled trial | Key results | Subjects were randomly assigned to stabilization splint or control splint groups. After 10 weeks, the results indicated that stabilization splint therapy resulted in reduction of secondary otalgia symptoms. | |
Evidence Search |
("Temporomandibular Joint Disorders"[Mesh] AND "Earache"[Mesh]) AND "therapy "[Subheading] |
Comments on
The Evidence |
The study performed by Wright et. al., lacked randomization and control but the other two studies contained both these elements. All studies came to the same conclusion that treatment of TMD may help provide relief of ear pain. Although this evidence is not as strong as we would like, it is the best evidence currently available on the topic. |
Applicability |
These results are clinically very applicable if the practitioner can identify the conditions in which otologic symptoms appear. These factors are dependent on age, specific otologic symptoms, duration, etc. If patients are correctly identified, it may be possible to treat their otologic symptoms with TMD therapy. |
Specialty/Discipline |
(General Dentistry) |
Keywords |
TMD, earache, non-otologic otalgia, TMD therapy, TMD symptoms
|
ID# |
494 |
Date of submission: |
01/13/2010 |
E-mail |
|
Author |
Bahman Norouzinia |
Co-author(s) |
Elizabeth Wallmann |
Co-author(s) e-mail |
elizabeth.wallmann@gmail.com |
Faculty mentor/Co-author |
Edward F. Wright, DDS, MS |
Faculty mentor/Co-author e-mail |
WrightE2@uthscsa.edu |
Basic Science Rationale
(Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) |
post a rationale |
None available | |
|
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT
(FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) |
post a comment |
by Travis McAlister (San Antonio, TX) on 04/09/2012 I conducted a PubMed search on this topic on April 9th 2012 and found that the publications listed in your CAT represent the best and most up to date evidence to answer your PICO question. Great job! | |
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