The short-term effect (3-6 weeks) of the use of a stabilization
splint was investigated in a group of 35 myogenous
craniomandibular disorder patients. The patients were clinically examined and surface EMG recordings of the temporal and masseter muscles were made during clenching in the intercuspal position (ICP), immediately after the insertion of the
splint (SSP), and after at least 3 weeks of
splint treatment (SSP 3). With the use of the error variance of the activity index changes in EMG activity were investigated. Three groups of patients were then recognized. One group showed a decrease in temporal muscle activity during
splint treatment. Another group did not show any significant change during
splint treatment. The third group showed an increase of temporal muscle activity. In general, significant reductions in the amount of static
pain were found. In the group with a significant reduction of temporal muscle activity (n = 15) there was a greater decrease in the amount of static
pain (P < 0.05) than in the group (n = 4) with a significant increase of temporal muscle activity. The results may indicate that the temporal muscle plays an important role in the perception of static
pain in the masticatory system.