Comparison of the trigger point local anesthetic injection and occlusal splint use in myofascial orofacial pain treatment

Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms caused by trigger points. The aim of local anesthetic injection is to eliminate trigger points. Also, occlusal splint therapy is a conventional treatment method that is used as a supportive and protective approach in several temporomandibular disorders. The aim of this study is to compare the short-term (4 weeks), medium-term (3 months), and long-term (6 months) efficacy of trigger point local anesthetic injection and occlusal splint treatments. 30 patients diagnosed with myofascial orofacial pain based on the International Orofacial Pain Classification were divided into two groups: Group 1 received trigger point local anesthetic injections (n=15), and Group 2 used occlusal splints (n=15). Treatment efficacy was assessed through retrospective analysis of maximum mouth opening measurements, jaw disability checklists, and short-form McGill pain questionnaires between the two groups. The local anesthetic injection group exhibited a significantly greater increase in pain-free maximum mouth opening in the short, medium, and long terms (p<0.001). This group also demonstrated significantly lower values on the Jaw Disability Checklist in the medium term (p=0.026) and long term (p=0.006). Regarding variables related to pain level, the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire score was found to be significantly lower in the local anesthetic injection group in the medium term (p=0.001); the VAS (Visual Analog Scale) showed a significantly greater decrease in the short term (p=0.016) and medium term (p<0.001) in the same group. In conclusion, we suggest that there is a need for larger sample-sized studies with higher-level evidence, and the inclusion of the bruxism variable. Key words: myofascial orofacial pain, occlusal splint, trigger point injection