Relationship between appearance of a double contour on the mandibular condyle and the change in articular disc position after splint therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to investigate the relationship between the appearance of double contours on the mandibular condyle and changes in articular disc position after splint therapy.


METHODS
Panoramic radiographs and magnetic resonance images of 82 joints in 41 patients taken before and after treatment were studied. The number of cases showing a double contour after treatment was compared between the 2 groups with and without disc displacement before treatment, and between the 2 groups with and without reduction in the displacement group; a comparison was also made among age groups and among 3 groups showing improvement, aggravation, or no change in displacement after treatment.


RESULTS
All joints showing a double contour after treatment showed articular disc displacement before treatment. No double contours were observed after treatment on joints without articular disc displacement before treatment. All joints showing a double contour showed improvement in disc displacement.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that a double contour on the mandibular condyle is the result of repositioning of, or positional improvement in, a displaced articular disc.
Yano
Keisuke
K
Verde Orthodontic Dental Clinic, Tokyo, Japan. verde-7@amber.plala.or.jp
Nishikawa
Keiichi
K
Sano
Tsukasa
T
Okano
Tomohiro
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult