HABIT REVERSAL TREATMENT OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS - A PILOT INVESTIGATION

This study evaluated the use of behavior therapy to reduce teeth clenc hing and grinding as a treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMD) . Habit reversal was used to treat three adults with TMD using a multi ple baseline across subjects design. The results indicated significant improvement for two of the three subjects including decreased self-re ported pain, decreased pain upon muscle palpation, and increased maxim um mandibular opening. However, temporomandibular joint sounds were in creased. Habit reversal appears to be more effective in reducing the m yofascial pain symptoms of TMD than in improving temporomandibular joi nt functioning.