title: Maintenance of condylar position using an occlusal splint after mechanical vibrating-traction of the TMJ.
abstract: Although adequate relief of excess mechanical loading to the joint has been accepted as one of the important treatment concepts in the orthopaedic field, a treatment method for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to relieve excess mechanical loading has not yet been established. This study aimed to clarify the effect of an occlusal splint on the maintenance of the distracted condylar position achieved by vibrating-traction method. Vibrating dynamic traction force was applied for 5 min to the right TMJ using vibrating-traction apparatus. A flat stabilization splint was adjusted to keep the mandibular position and the condylar displacement was evaluated for 6 h after the dynamic traction procedure. Mean vertical displacement of the mandibular right first molar immediately after the vibrating-traction for the six subjects was 156 microm (ranging from 141 to 179 microm). The calculated mean condylar displacement immediately after the traction was 480 mum and could be kept to be 381 mum even after 6 h by wearing the flat stabilization splint. From the results of this study, it was revealed that the mechanically tracted condylar position could be maintained by a flat occlusal splint. It was suggested that the vibrating-traction method followed by the provision of occlusal support might have a possibility to work as a mechanical relieving procedure for the TMJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Okayama University Dental School, Okayama, Japan. minagi@dent.okayama-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minagi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Natsuaki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akamatsu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimamura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014732:Vibration; D016474:Weight-Bearing