In the era of rapid digitalization, dentistry continues to demonstrate an intensive transformation related to the implementation of digital workflows and sensor technologies, forming new clinical protocols.
The key factor of progress becomes not only the development of hardware and software solutions, but also the effective translation of clinically validated data and standards into daily practice, ensuring predictability of treatment and reproducibility of outcomes in patients with bruxism.
Digital and sensor splints are regarded not as a simple modification of an orthopedic appliance, but as a component of an integrated monitoring and feedback system — a platform for personalized therapy; the role of CAD/CAM-manufacturing lies in achieving high accuracy of fit, controlled thickness and a reproducible occlusal surface, which reduces the variability of inter-study and clinical results.
The integration of sensors for recording occlusal forces and articulatory loads, synchronization with EMG signals and biofeedback algorithms allows not only monitoring of masticatory muscle activity, but also implementation of behavioral correction strategies — dynamic load control, immediate feedback during episodes of clenching; this creates prerequisites for an objective assessment of intervention effectiveness and further validation of protocols.
The systematic review included eight randomized controlled trials, which reflects the stage of early diffusion of technologies and the formation of a research paradigm; most studies demonstrated a tendency toward improvement of clinical outcomes — reduction of symptom severity, decrease of pain syndrome and episode frequency — however a substantial portion of differences did not reach statistical significance, underscoring the limitations of the current evidence base.
Of particular clinical significance is the study with intraoral vibrational biofeedback, which recorded a significant reduction in the frequency and duration of sleep episodes compared with a traditional splint; at the same time high heterogeneity was noted in splint design, inclusion criteria, assessment methods (self-recording, EMG, polysomnography) and sample sizes — factors that impede meta-analysis and international standardization of baseline measures.
Digital fabrication of splinting devices provides consistently high fit and, with correct selection of material and technological process, improved durability and adhesive characteristics; this increases the predictability of the clinical outcome and lowers barriers to implementation in daily practice, but requires from the clinician knowledge in digital prototyping and interdisciplinary coordination with laboratories and engineers.
When choosing a treatment strategy one should consider: the nature of bruxism (night/day), the presence of concomitant myalgia or TMJ dysfunction, objective indicators of muscle activity (EMG), polysomnography data when necessary, as well as the cost and trainability of the patient — a combined approach using a digital splint for support and biofeedback for behavior correction appears promising, but requires protocolized evaluation of effectiveness within clinical registries and large RCTs.
The publication of the review by scientists from Chennai and the appearance of the article in BDJ Open 8 мая 2026 года emphasize the transnational nature of research in digital dentistry and indicate that data from different regions are shaping a global ecosystem of innovation; the considerable variability of methodologies in studies highlights the need for international cooperation to unify assessment methods and develop reproducible clinical protocols.
The review “Comparison of digital splints versus traditional splints for bruxism management” confirms that digital splints and biofeedback represent promising tools in the dentist’s arsenal when working with patients with bruxism, however the current evidence base is limited in volume and homogeneity; large multicenter RCTs with unified baseline measures — frequency and duration of episodes, EMG amplitude, subjective pain assessments by VAS and quality of life — are required to develop clinical recommendations and standards.
In the era of rapid digitalization modern dentistry is developing as one of the most dynamic fields of medicine, intensively
Modern dentistry is developing as one of the most dynamic fields of medicine, rapidly integrating digital technologies and interdisciplinary approaches.
OTEXE.COM uses cookies to personalize the services and improve the usability of the site. If you do not want to use cookies, please disable them in your browser settings.
