Recapture of temporomandibular joint disks using anterior repositioning appliances: an MRI study

Thirty consecutive patients seeking treatment for painful temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease were enrolled in a prospective study to assess the relationship between the recapture of displaced disks by anterior repositioning appliances (ARA) and the relief of symptoms. After standard clinical workup including assessment of pain, maxillary and mandibular ARAs were constructed that repositioned condyles to the Gelb 4/7 position. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed before and immediately after the insertion of ARAs. Initial MRI findings showed 26 joints with reducing disk displacements in 17 patients, seven partially-reducing joints in four patients, 14 nonreducing joints in 11 patients, and 13 normal joints in eight patients. Postinsertion MRI showed recapture of disks in 25 of 26 reducing displacements (96%), but no recapture in partially-reducing or nonreducing joints. All but one of the normal joints remained unchanged. Pain assessment showed significant relief of symptoms in all three categories. The degree of pain relief was significantly greater in recaptured reducing disks than the other categories (p < 0.05). ARA therapy provides effective pain relief regardless of disk status, although a greater degree of relief may be achieved in recaptured reducing internal derangements.