Influence of vertical dimension on painful tenderness of the lateral pterygoid muscles and clicking sound of the temporo-mandibular joints

The aim of the present work was to compare the evolution of clinical symptomatology of painful tenderness to palpation of the lateral pterygoid muscles and clicking sound of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in the presence of patients with myofascial pain-dysfunction (MPD) syndrome. 75 patients were divided at random into three different groups according to the VD to which the occlusal splint was adjusted. Group I: 1 mm from occlusal VD; Group II: mean VD 4.42 mm; Group III: mean VD 8.15 mm. The evolution of both symptoms was quantified initially and 24 and 72 hours after insertion of the splint and also at the end of the first, second and third weeks. The ANOVA for clicking sound of the TMJ showed significant differences between groups (F = 4.14; p<0.025). The ANOVA for painful tenderness to palpation of the lateral pterygoid muscles showed no significant differences between groups (F = 2.277; p> 0.10).