Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 8

Assessment of Articular Disc Position before and after Gnathological Splint Therapy in Symptomatic Temporomandibular Disorder Patients Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

1Post graduate Student, Dept. of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Narayanapuram, Pallikaranai, Chennai-Tamilnadu, India

2Professor, Dept. of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Narayanapuram, Pallikaranai, Chennai-Tamilnadu, India

3Professor and Director, Dept. of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Narayanapuram, Pallikaranai, Chennai-Tamilnadu, India

Online published on 26 September, 2019.

Abstract

Early and accurate diagnosis followed by therapy would be the ideal approach to reduce pain, discomfort or morbidity associated with temporomandibular disorders. The purpose of the study was to evaluate if gnathological splint therapy could capture or change the position of the displaced articular disc in temporomandibular disorder subjects using magnetic resonance imaging as the diagnostic tool.

The study population consisted of 14 clinically symptomatic and orthodontically untreated temporomandibular disorder patients within the age range of 12–30 years (mean 20years). The patients underwent gnathological splint therapy for six months and the pre and post articular disc position was evaluated with Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The amount of articular disc changes post splint therapy was almost similar on both the right and left side of the TMJ, with a mean difference of 1.4mm on right side and 1.3mm on left side.

Articular disc recapture was seen in patients having anterior disc displacement with reduction subsequent to gnathological splint therapy.

Keywords

Temporomandibular disorder, Roths’ power centric bite, gnathological splint, mandibular positioner indicator