The use of the Front Plateau anterior partial interocclusal device in the management of temporomandibular disorders: a pilot study

Leonan-Silva, Brender; Teles, Ana Claúdia Oliveira; Silva, Renata Karla; Torres, Adriana Silva; Oliveira, Dhelfeson Willya Douglas de; Flecha, Olga Dumont

doi:10.63231/2595-0118.20250012-pt

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ORIGINAL ARTICLE • Brazilian Journal of Pain 8 • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.63231/2595-0118.20250012-en linkcopy

The use of the Front Plateau anterior partial interocclusal device in the management of temporomandibular disorders: a pilot study

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The partial occlusal splints, such as the Front Plateau, a device that involves the anterior teeth (from canine to canine), have been used by some professionals as an alternative to the full-coverage rigid occlusal splints due to the ease and time involved in their manufacturing. However, there is little evidence of its mechanism of action. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Front Plateau associated with the counseling therapy in controlling chronic myalgia associated with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs).

METHODS This pilot study conducted with 10 patients with chronic myalgia related to TMDs. Two groups were assessed (G1: Front Plateau with the counseling therapy; G2: the counseling therapy only) with a follow-up of 3 months. Pain levels, quality of life and stress were assessed. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS Among the 10 patients assessed, 80% (n=8) were female. None of the variables evaluated showed statistically significant results (p<0.05). However, the numerical pain assessment scale of the group that received the Front Plateau with the counseling therapy (G1) showed relevant clinical results, going from 8.00±1.22 (Mean±SD) at baseline to 4.2±1.79 (Mean±SD) after 3 months.

CONCLUSION The Front Plateau with the counseling therapy seems to be a clinically viable alternative for controlling chronic myalgias related to TMDs. However, future clinical trials are needed to assess its applicability by professionals in the field.

Keywords:
Myalgia; Occlusal splints; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Conservative treatment

HIGHLIGHTS

Minimally invasive techniques for controlling TMDs, such as the Front Plateau associated with the counseling therapy, have shown good results

Since it is easy to fabricate, the Front Plateau reduces clinical time and can be made in a single session

This study highlights the importance of evaluating clinical research beyond the p-value

	Front Plateau and CT		CT		p-value
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	p-value
Baseline	8.00	1.22	8.80	1.10	0.212
Assessment after 1 month	3.00	2.24	7.40	2.88	0.035
Assessment after 3 months	4.20	1.79	7.00	2.24	0.056

	Front Plateau and CT		CT		p-value
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	p-value
Baseline Total	23.80	8.56	19.20	8.64	0.458
Functional limitation	1.80	1.30	1.00	1.00	0.281
Physical pain	5.60	1.52	6.00	1.87	0.523
Psychological discomfort	4.80	1.92	5.40	1.95	0.655
Physical disability	2.00	1.58	1.40	1.67	0.522
Psychological disability	3.40	3.13	2.20	2.68	0.458
Social disability	3.20	1.79	1.60	1.67	0.178
Disadvantages	3.00	1.22	1.60	1.14	0.101
After 3 months Total	22.40	8.79	18.40	10.26	0.917
Functional limitation	1.80	1.48	1.00	1.73	0.277
Physical pain	4.40	2.19	5.00	2.00	0.655
Psychological discomfort	4.40	2.51	4.40	2.51	0.833
Physical disability	1.60	1.67	1.00	1.41	0.572
Psychological disability	3.40	3.58	2.00	1.58	0.671
Social disability	3.40	2.30	2.80	2.59	0.833
Disadvantages	3.40	1.52	2.20	2.59	0.522

	Front Plateau and CT		CT		p
	n	%	n	%	p
Baseline
No stress	1	20.00	2	40.00
Resistance	2	40.00	3	60.00
Almost exhaustion	1	20.00	0	0.00
Exhaustion	1	20.00	0	0.00	0.469

After 3 months
No stress	0	0	1	20.00
Resistance	4	80.00	2	40.00
Almost exhaustion	1	20.00	1	20.00
Exhaustion	0	0.00	1	20.00	0.446

	Front Plateau and CT		CT		p-value
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	p-value
Baseline - RPTM	1.20	0.84	1.00	1.00	0.740
1 month - RPTM	0.60	0.89	0.80	1.10	0.811
3 months - RPTM	0.00	0.00	0.40	0.89	0.317
Baseline - LPTM	1.00	0.71	1.00	1.00	0.999
1 month - LPTM	1.60	0.89	1.00	1.41	0.332
3 months - LPTM	1.40	0.55	0.40	0.89	0.060
Baseline - RMTM	1.40	1.14	1.00	1.41	0.514
1 month - RMTM	1.00	0.71	0.80	1.10	0.658
3 months - RMTM	0.80	0.45	0.80	0.84	0.905
Baseline - LMTM	1.80	0.84	1.20	1.30	0.389
1 month - LMTM	1.20	1.30	1.20	1.30	0.999
3 months - LMTM	1.20	0.84	1.00	1.22	0.584
Baseline - RATM	1.00	1.22	0.80	1.10	0.736
1 month - RATM	0.40	0.55	1.00	1.41	0.637
3 months - RATM	0.40	0.55	0.60	1.34	0.699
Baseline - LATM	1.40	1.14	0.80	1.10	0.391
1 month - LATM	0.40	0.55	0.40	0.55	0.999
3 months - LATM	1.00	0.00	0.80	1.30	0.232

	Front Plateau and CT		CT		p-value
	Mean	SD	Mean	SD	p-value
Baseline - RSM	2.20	0.45	1.20	1.64	0.439
1 month - RSM	1.40	0.55	1.40	1.14	0.910
3 months - RSM	1.20	0.45	1.40	1.14	0.813
Baseline - LSM	2.20	0.45	1.20	1.64	0.439
1 month - LSM	1.60	0.89	1.60	1.34	0.910
3 months - LSM	1.60	0.55	1.60	1.34	0.913
Baseline - RMM	2.00	0.71	1.20	1.30	0.277
1 month - RMM	2.20	0.84	1.60	1.14	0.381
3 months - RMM	1.80	0.84	1.00	1.22	0.192
Baseline - LMM	2.60	0.55	1.40	1.52	0.217
1 month - LMM	2.00	1.00	2.00	1.22	0.913
3 months - LMM	2.20	0.45	1.80	1.10	0.606
Baseline - RIM	2.40	0.89	1.60	1.52	0.369
1 month - RIM	1.60	1.34	1.80	1.10	0.829
3 months - RIM	1.80	0.84	1.80	1.10	0.822
Baseline - LIM	2.60	0.55	2.00	1.22	0.419
1 month - LIM	1.60	1.34	1.80	1.30	0.827
3 months - LIM	2.00	0.71	1.40	1.52	0.518

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[1] CT = Counselling Therapy; SD = standard deviation. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.