Evaluation of the Effects of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Interventions in Patients With Bruxism

Various soft tissue and joint mobilizations, intramuscular stretches, trigger point treatments, and intraoral applications for the temporomandibular joint were performed in 15 randomly selected bruxism patients. Manual therapy was applied twice weekly over eight weeks, each session lasting approximately 45 minutes. Techniques included trigger point therapy, myofascial release, intraoral mobilizations to the masseter, medial and lateral pterygoid, and temporalis tendons, post-isometric relaxation for masticatory muscles, cervical traction, and suboccipital and cervical fascial release. The manual therapy procedure, which was applied in the supine position and lasted approximately 40 minutes for 8 weeks

The exercise group consisted of 15 randomly selected bruxist individuals and aimed to reduce pain, decrease involuntary contractions of masticatory muscles, increase their nutrition, flexibility and coordination, and strengthen weak muscles with exercise therapy. The exercise program included Rocabado exercises, stretching of the platysma, masticatory and cervical muscles, resistance training (mouth opening, protrusion, and lateral mandibular movements), and postural exercises. Exercises were performed while sitting in a chair with back support in front of a mirror. Each exercise was repeated 10 times. The duration of each session was 25-30 minutes. repeat the home exercises three times a week for 8 weeks. Weekly phone calls were made to encourage compliance. In addition, a video explaining the exercises in detail was shared with all participants in the group in order to ensure that the exercises were not forgotten and to achieve accuracy and standardization among the participants.