Change of position of the temporomandibular joint disk with insertion of a disk-repositioning appliance.
OBJECTIVE
We report alteration of the temporomandibular joint disk and the condyle position through the construction of a mandibular full-coverage occlusal appliance (often referred to as a disk repositioning appliance).


METHODS
Forty-five joints with displaced disks with reduction were available for the study. We assessed these joints for disk recapture and the change of disk position with insertion of the appliance using magnetic resonance imaging.


RESULTS
Of the 41 joints that had a recaptured disk with insertion of the splint, 25 slid in a posterior direction, although the amount of movement was negligible. No disk slid posteriorly in the joints without splint capture.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of our results, we conclude that many of the occasionally displaced disks might have moved backward with successful treatment involving a disk-repositioning splint. However, the amount of the movement was negligible.
Kurita
H
H
Department of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
Kurashina
K
K
Ohtsuka
A
A
Kotani
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000473:pathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome