Comparison of Trigger Point Lidocaine Injection and Stabilization Splint Use in Myofascial Orofacial Pain Treatment

Objective: This study aims to compare the short-, medium-, and long-term efficacy of trigger point local anesthetic injection and stabilization splint use for myofascial orofacial pain. Materials and methods: Group 1 comprised 15 patients who received trigger point local anesthetic injections (LAI), while Group 2 comprised 15 patients who were treated with a stabilization splint (SS). Analysis of pain-free maximum mouth opening (MMO) measurements, jaw disability checklists (JDC), short-form McGill pain questionnaires (SF-MPQ), and Visual analog scales (VAS) were used for comparison between the groups. Results: The LAI group showed a significantly greater increase in pain-free MMO in all terms (p < 0.001) and had significantly lower values on the JDC in both the medium (p = 0.026) and the long term (p = 0.006). The SF-MPQ was significantly lower in the medium term (p = 0.001) in the LAI group; the VAS showed a significantly greater decrease in the short (p = 0.016) and medium terms (p < 0.001) in the LAI group. Conclusion: The results indicate that a treatment choice can be made between TN lidocaine injection and occlusal splint based on patient tolerance.