A study of factors for successful splint capture of anteriorly displaced temporomandibular joint disc with disc repositioning appliance

The purpose of this study was to analyse the factors which influenced the success of disc recapture by the insertion of a disc repositioning appliance. Fifty-one joints with joint clicking that occurred at both middle to late opening and late closing (near maximum cuspation) of the mandible were splinted with a mandibular full-coverage repositioning appliance. The clinical and MR findings were compared between the joints with successful and unsuccessful splint disc capture. Thirty-two clicking joints with reducibly displaced discs (DDWR) had successful disc recapture, while six of 19 joints with displaced disc without reduction (DDWOR). Unsuccessful joints with DDWOR had significantly higher prevalence of deformed disc and joint effusion, higher VAS quantitative pain score, and severe disc displacement especially in medial part of the joint (P < 0.05). From the results of this study joints with DDWR can be expected to have successful disc recapture with the insertion of the appliance. In joints with DDWOR, presence of inflammatory conditions, changed disc morphology and extensive disc displacement in medial part of the joint are negative factors.