Modified mandibular splint therapy for disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint

A selection of abstracts of clinically relevant papers from other journals. The abstracts on this page have been chosen and edited by John R. Radford.

Abstract

Although somewhat arcane, the authors state that this splint has been used successfully for the past ten years.

Main

Wu J-H, Kao Y-H et al. J Dent Sci 2013; 8: 91–93

Symptomatic disc displacement with reduction (DDR) has been managed by the provision of a 1) stabilisation splint (SS), 2) distraction splint (pivot), and 3) anterior repositioning splint (ARS). This paper describes the use of a Kaohsuing Medical University splint to care for those patients with symptomatic DDR. It is a mandibular splint that has characteristics of both a SS and an ARS. The regimen for wearing the splint is harsh. If not complied with, 'an unstable reduced disc (could)...be squeezed out again.' An RCT is cited (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2005; 63: 1295–1303) that found 'centric splints seem to be more effective than distraction splints' for patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction. This paper does little to unravel this mysterious area.