Movement of the mandibular condyle and articular disc on placement of an occlusal splint

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate, with the use of magnetic resonance images, mandibular condyle and articular disc movement on occlusal splint application. Thirty-five subjects were classified into "Pain" and "No-pain" groups based on visual analog scale scoring of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and were categorized as bilateral normal disc (ND), unilateral anterior disc displacement (ADD), or bilateral ADD position. t test and analysis of variance with multiple comparisons were used for statistical analyses. Pain and No-pain groups showed significant anteroinferior and rotated movement of the condyle on splint application, but the disc did not significantly move in the Pain group. Of all groups, anteroposterior movement of the condyle and disc with the splint was significantly less in the unilateral ADD group. TMJ pain was associated with decreased movement of the articular disc. Disc and condyle movement was different in the unilateral ADD group in the presence of a splint compared with the ND and bilateral ADD groups.