title: Clinical and experimental study of TMJ distraction: preliminary results.
abstract: A physiotherapeutic approach, with manual maneuvers and/or distraction appliances, is indicated in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) to prevent the progressive fibrosis of the muscle fibers. In this article, the authors report preliminary results of experimental and clinical studies conducted to assess the real effect of distraction in temporomandibular joint disorders. The experimental invivo studies confirmed the structural alteration due to compression and distraction on the capsular and condylar tissues. Clinical cases are reported to show the increase of the intraarticular vertical dimension, with a forward and downward movement of the condyles in a more physiologic condition.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Orthgnat, Università di Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galluccio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000503:physiopathology; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D011859:Radiography; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014716:Vertical Dimension