Modified Temporomandibular Joint Disc Repositioning With Mini-screw Anchor: Part II-Stability Evaluation by Magnetic...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of disc position and condylar status by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc repositioning surgery with a mini-screw anchor technique.

Patients diagnosed with anterior disc displacement (ADD) and operated on for disc repositioning from 2010 through 2016 were included in the study. MRI scans within 1 week after operation (T1) and during at least 1-year follow-up were used to evaluate changes in disc position and condylar bone. During follow-up, ADD without reduction was considered relapse and the bone status was classified as regeneration or degeneration.

One hundred seven patients with 149 joints were included in the study. Postoperative MRI scans (T1) showed that all discs were repositioned. During an average 23.40-month follow-up (range, 12 to 84 months), 95.3% of discs (142 of 149) were still in position, whereas 4.7% of discs (7 of 149) had relapsed anteriorly. New condylar bone formation was observed in 74.50% of joints (111 of 149), no bone change was observed in 23.49% of joints (35 of 149), and bone resorption was observed in 2.01% of joints (3 of 149).

TMJ disc repositioning by a mini-screw anchor provides stability for treatment of ADD. Disc repositioning also can stimulate condylar bone regeneration.