engleski

Temporomandibular joint disorder confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and treated by Michigan splint – a 9-year-follow-up

Study objectives. In the period of 9 years, the success of Michigan splint in the treatment of temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder was evaluated. Methods and material. The study included patients who came to recall examination 9 years after the first examination. The inclusion criteria for patients comprised pain referred to the TMJ, limited mouth opening and/or clicking in TMJs with the use of RDC/TMD and manual examination techniques. Magnetic resonance imaging was the gold standard for DD of all patients' TMJs. TMJ pain intensity was rated on a visual-analogue scale (VAS 0-10). For treatment purposes, the patients wore Michigan splints. Results. TMJ pain intensity on VAS was as follows: before treatment/recall 9 years: 6/0.94. In the period before treatment/recall, active mouth opening amounted to 9 years - 45.18mm/48.67mm. The following condition of the afflicted joints was determined after 9 years: 19 (50%) patients had completely healthy joints, 10 (26.32%) patients still felt discomfort without pain, 6 patients (15.79%) still had painful joints but with less pain intensity. 3 patients (7.89%) still had pronounced pain in the TMJs (mean value VAS=5). Conclusion. Michigan splint treatment had partial analgesic effects, whereas the 7.9% who had no improvement of their condition.

temporomandibular disorders; splint; temporomandibular joint; magnetic resonance imaging

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