THE EFFECT OF OCCLUSAL SPLINT THERAPY ON DIFFERENT CURVE PARAMETERS OF AXIOGRAPHIC TMJ TRACINGS

Computerized axiography was used as an objective instrumental method o f evaluating the response of patients with temporomandibular joint (TM J) symptomatology to occlusal splint therapy. Diagnosis was performed in a standardized manner by systematically analyzing TMJ path tracings obtained by computerized axiography. Thirty-six patients were axiogra phed before and after therapy with full-arch occlusal stabilizing appl iances, followed by assessing the effect of therapy on various path cu rve parameters. The data obtained for the patient group treated with s plints was compared to that of six patients also axiographed, but left untreated for a period of six weeks before a second TMJ tracing was o btained. The results show that splints have a certain effect on recipr ocal TMJ clicking (response rate 67%). Retral stability and path chara cteristics are also substantially improved (response rates 44% and 40% ). Less influence was noted on hypomobile joint paths (response rate 2 9%), the quality of movements (response rate 28%) and Bennett angle va lues (response rate 23%). Patients with disk displacements without red uction were not treated with splints, they underwent surgery. Their re sults will be reported later. By contrast, TMJ tracings in the control group remained essentially unchanged.