Long-term follow-up after occlusal treatment to correct abnormal temporomandibular joint disk position

Fifteen patients with temporomandibular joint disk displacement in whom a normal condyle-disk relationship could be established were treated with occlusal changes to maintain the disk in a recaptured position. Occlusal changes were achieved by prosthodontics in 11 patients and by orthodontics in four patients. Follow-up after about 3 years showed that joint function was improved, intensity of pain was reduced, and joint and muscle tenderness were less frequent than before treatment. Intermittent locking, use of analgesics, sleep disturbances, and absence from work because of temporomandibular joint symptoms were also less frequent. Radiographic examination performed in 11 patients at follow-up demonstrated anteroinferior condylar position in the majority of the patients, but only minor hard tissue changes. Arthrography showed the disk to be in a correct position relative to the condyle in 82% (9 of 11) of the patients. These results suggest that permanent change of the occlusion with the objective of eliminating abnormal disk position may be effective treatment for disk displacement when conventional methods of treatment have failed to alleviate the symptoms. The extent of dental treatment needed to maintain the disk in a correct position should, however, be considered relative to the severity of the symptoms.