Morphological analysis of the temporomandibular joint in patients with anterior disc displacement

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the morphological characteristics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDwR) and the alterations after occlusal splint treatment. Thirty ADDwR patients and ten asymptomatic subjects were recruited. Thirteen parameters were adopted, along with automatic computation and presentation of the joint space to characterize the TMJ morphologies. Statistical results showed that morphological discrepancies between the patients and the asymptomatic subjects were ubiquitous. The adjustment of condyle position through occlusal splint treatment can result in joint spaces widening and has positive effects on mitigating the conditions of ADDwR.