Bibliometric Trends in the Study of Occlusal Splints and Three-dimensional Printing or Computer-aided design/Computer-aided Manufacturing

IntroductIonTemporomandibular disorders (TMD) are usually linked to biomechanical imbalances, such as malocclusion, in which the teeth do not properly align when the jaws are closed.They can be caused by the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth over a long period, generating bruxism, and by abnormal growth of the jaw in patients.1 Currently, the use of occlusal splints is one of the main therapeutic choices for treating patients with TMD. 2 This is because they are removable appliances placed on both jaws that affect the occlusal relationship between the jaws.Their implementation has shown an acceptable success rate, reaching approximately 70-90% in TMD cases.3 Occlusal splints, commonly referred to as night guards, are protective barriers for the mouth.The primary role of occlusal splints is to minimize the detrimental effects of bruxism by limiting contact between the teeth during sleep.Essentially, occlusal splints are constructed from acrylic material and are used for the management of TMD by serving as a barrier between the dental arches and limiting the damage caused by these disorders, including pain symptoms.The splint provides cushioning for comfort and reduces associated symptoms, intended to relieve symptoms in patients who wear it.1,4,5 Dental impressions outline the unique treatment needs of each patient to construct an occlusal splint tailored specifically to 1,