Occlusal equilibration versus sham therapies for long-term relief of temporomandibular disorder pain — post‑trial follow‑up

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational long‑term follow‑up contacts patients who previously underwent physiologically oriented occlusal equilibration (POOE) or sham therapies at the University of Santiago de Compostela to document pain outcomes over several years. Eligible participants were adults diagnosed with muscle and/or joint TMD according to DC/TMD, fully dentate or adequately restored, with moderate pretreatment pain and prior conservative care. The protocol collects long‑term pain intensity measures (original baseline, 6‑month results, and multiple‑year follow‑up) to determine whether initial benefits persist. Standard exclusion criteria (major psychiatric disease, opioid addiction, recent orthodontics, severe tooth mobility, indistinguishable other pain conditions, active litigation) limit confounding and select for typical chronic TMD patients treated at this center.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Previous occlusal equilibration for TMD pain at the University of Santiago.
* Be diagnosed with joint and/or muscle TMD pain according to DC/TMD.
* Be aged 18-85 years.
* Be completely dentate with normal or adequately restored occlusion (fixed crowns/bridges allowed).
* Report pretreatment significant TMD pain (VAS/NRS 4-9 on a 0-10 scale).
* Have actively sought treatment and been referred to the University/Hospital service.
* Have undergone ≥6 months of prior conservative therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Psychosis, major depression, substance abuse, or cognitive impairment.
* Opioid (morphine-derivative) addiction.
* Ongoing litigation or disability claims related to chronic pain.
* Dental professional background.
* Orthodontic treatment within the last 2 years.
* Severe tooth mobility (grade 3).
* Other pain conditions indistinguishable from or more severe than TMD pain.
* Additionally, patients will be excluded if minimally invasive occlusal adjustment cannot achieve equilibration, defined by: 2 mm discrepancy between maximal intercuspation and centric occlusion, and/or 4 mm total interarch discrepancy (≥2 mm on one side) in defined premolar/molars reference points, measured intraorally using a Boley gauge.

Where it's running

• Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
  Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain Recruiting
• Urbano Santana Penín
  Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain Enrolling by invitation

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: José López-Cedrún, Dr. — Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña
• Study coordinator: URBANO SANTANA PENIN, Prof.
• Email: urbano.santana@usc.es
• Phone: + 34 647 344 093

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.