Change of position of the temporomandibular joint disk with insertion of a disk-repositioning appliance

Abstract

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). Study design 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.