الفهرس 
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the hydrostatic occlussal splints therapy ”Aqualizer” with soft acrylic occlusal splints in reducing painful symptoms of TMD associated with parafunctional habits.
To carry out this study, twenty patients with detectable signs and symptoms of TMD associated with parafunctional habits in form of muscle pain, tenderness or impaired rang of movement were selected from those who came to the Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University.
Patient with history of conservative treatment for TMD and those who were suffering from systemic diseases that possibly affect masticatory system e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and epilepsy were excluded from the study.
According to the treatment regimen, selected patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups included 10 patients:
Group I: Patients received hydrostatic splint therapy ”Aqualizer”
Group II: ”Patients received soft acrylic occlusal splint therapy.
All patients received soft acrylic splint therapy and the hydrostatic splint threrapy ”Aqualizer” were instructed to wear the splints during the day and during sleeping except during meals for the entire period of four weeks and follow up were made before treatment and after beginning of treatment by 2 weeks and 4 weeks.
Patients were evaluated subjectively using the modification of Helkimo’s dysfunction index and objectively using EMG. Evaluation was carried out for all groups at the diagnosis, patient selection stage immediately, after two weeks and four weeks from the beginning of treatment.
The collected data were tabulated and statistically analyzed. Result obtained from the study showed that both treatment modalities caused general improvement in patient’s clinical condition with a significant differences between them at two weeks of treatment, where the hydrostatic splint” Aqualizer” showed its effect in relief of TMD pain as early as 2 weeks of treatment while the soft acrylic splint showed its effect on relief after 4 weeks.
Within the context of this study, the following conclusion can be listed as follows:
1- The use of hydrostatic splint ”Aqualizer” in treatment of TMD had a successful effect on rapid relief of pain, TMJ pain and muscle pain in short period after 2 weeks.
2- Soft acrylic splint has been showed to be effective in management of TMD symptoms after 4 weeks of treatment.
3- Hydrostatic splint”Aqualizer” showed better results than soft acrylic splint for rapid relief of TMD pain.
4- The hydrostatc occlusal ”Aqualizer” splint is simple, readymade occlusal splint, that provide succesfull and rapid relief of pain.