Method: Twenty asymptomatic patients (10 women and 10 men) were selected by means of RDC and submitted algometry through a digital algometer (Wagner Instruments, Model FDI, Greenwich CT, U.S.) in 5 experimental phases: initial consultation, 3mm thickness occlusal splint installation, 3mm thickness occlusal splint 24 hours of continuous use, 6mm thickness occlusal splint installation and 6mm thickness occlusal splint 24 hours of continuous use. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) was measured before (initial) and after (final) patients carry masticatory performance with latex for 60 seconds.
Result: The results were submitted to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test with level of 5% significance (p <0.05). It was observed for the anterior temporal muscle (working side) a significant change in PPT at installation of the 6mm splint thickness, but for the other muscles and situations there were no PPT (initial and final) changes, this results shows that the splint thickness did not influence the pain pressure threshold of muscles. PPT in men group was higher than women.
Conclusion: Splint thickness and chewing activity did not influence on masseter and temporal PPTs, but gender influenced it.