EVALUATION OF DISK CAPTURE WITH A SPLINT REPOSITIONING APPLIANCE - CLINICAL AND CRITICAL-ASSESSMENT WITH MR-IMAGING

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate disk repositionin g clinically and through use of magnetic resonance imaging after the i nsertion of a disk repositioning appliance. Study design. Seventy-four patients with 82 temporomandibular joints showing middle to late open ing movement click and closing movement click near maximum intercuspat ion were treated with a mandibular full-coverage repositioning splint. These joints were assessed clinically and by means of magnetic resona nce imaging for disk recapture. Results. According to clinical assessm ent, 75.6% (62/82) of the joints were treated successfully; no click w as observed from the splinted mandibular position. When compared with the results of magnetic resonance imaging assessment, clinical assessm ent showed an accuracy rate of 91.5%, although the incidence of the fa lse negatives was high (40%). Conclusions. The results of this study s howed that about 70% of reducing displaced disks were captured with us e of the disk repositioning appliance. And it was also suggested that magnetic resonance imaging is helpful to evaluate disk repositioning t herapy.