Evaluation of disk capture with a splint repositioning appliance: Clinical and critical assessment with MR imaging

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate disk repositioning clinically and through use of magnetic resonance imaging after the insertion of a disk repositioning appliance. Study design. Seventy-four patients with 82 temporomandibular joints showing middle to late opening movement click and closing movement click near maximum intercuspation were treated with a mandibular full-coverage repositioning splint. These joints were assessed clinically and by means of magnetic resonance imaging for disk recapture. Results. According to clinical assessment, 75.6% ( 62 82 ) of the joints were treated successfully; no click was observed from the splinted mandibular position. When compared with the results of magnetic resonance imaging assessment, clinical assessment showed an accuracy rate of 91.5%, although the incidence of the false negatives was high (40%). Conclusions. The results of this study showed that about 70% of reducing displaced disks were captured with use of the disk repositioning appliance. And it was also suggested that magnetic resonance imaging is helpful to evaluate disk repositioning therapy.