title: Long-term outcomes of nonsurgical treatment in nonreducing anteriorly displaced disk of the temporomandibular joint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term outcomes of nonsurgical treatment in patients with persistent anterior disk displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients were treated with occlusal splints, and 12 patients underwent additional occlusal treatments after splint treatment. These patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. At least 2 years after the treatment, the 34 patients' symptoms were assessed with the use of a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean maximal interincisal distance (MID) was 27.6 mm before treatment and 44.4 mm at the end of treatment (p < 0.001). Before the treatment, all 35 patients had complained of pain, and mild pain persisted in 9 patients at the end of treatment. Flattening of the condylar head and of the articular eminence increased in prevalence from 12.1% and 9.1%, respectively, before treatment to 54.5% and 51.5%, respectively, at the time of follow-up observation. At the time of the survey, the mean self-reported MID was 46.8 mm (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After the nonsurgical treatment, the clinical signs and symptoms improved significantly, although the prevalence of osteoarthrotic findings increased.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kai
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kai
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tabata
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiratsuchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohishi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents