title: Use of protrusive splint therapy in anterior disk displacement of the temporomandibular joint: a 1- to 3-year follow-up.
abstract: Sixty-eight patients, who were determined clinically (by the presence of audible and palpable-joint sounds) and arthrographically to have meniscus displacement with reduction, had protrusive splints constructed, and the results were evaluated for a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 3 years. Eighteen additional patients, arthrographically determined to have meniscus displacement with reduction, served as a nontreatment group for comparison. Odds ratios were calculated to compare the proportions of subjects who experienced follow-up symptoms on the two regimens. Results indicated that with splint therapy there was a statistically significant reduction of the intensity of jaw joint pain, temporal headache, ear pain, and pain in front of the ear, and there was a decrease in the probability of a closed lock condition developing. Splint therapy is less likely to reduce frontal headache, neck pain, and clenching of teeth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Eastman Dental Center, Rochester, N.Y.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Tallents
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Katzberg
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Macher
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006261:Headache / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016018:Least-Squares Analysis; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D059408:Pain Management; D013016:Sound; D013165:Splints; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*