Posterior unilateral condylar displacement: its diagnosis and treatment

The treatment procedure for posterior unilateral condylar displacement has been described. An acrylic resin repositioning prosthesis may be used to decrease trismus. Occlusal adjustment permits lateral freedom for mandibular movement to the opposite side which provides a dual, or a therapeutic, centric occlusion as well as the existing dysfunctional centric relation. This permits the patient's physiologic adaptive mechanism to choose between the existing dysfunctional centric relation, which resulted in unilateral condylar retrusion and pain, or a therapeutic centric occlusion which is aimed at anterior unilateral condylar repositioning. Over long period of time, muscle reprogramming produces maximum intercuspation of teeth in the planned therapeutic centric occlusion rather than in the original dysfunctional position. No explanation has been established for this phenomenon. It is important, however, to provide a technique that permits physiologic adaptability over a period of time. It should be emphasized that this is not TMJ "remodeling" but a functional change in the position of the jaw. The treatment objectives of bilateral and unilateral posterior condylar displacement are similar, but the clinical techniques are completely different. In either instance, TMJ radiographs are necessary to establish the diagnosis and treatment, as well as to document the postoperative results.