The mandibular position for anterior repositioning splint for reciprocal click

Abstract

Nowadays, a mandibular repositioning appliance is often utilized for patients whose TMJs show anterior disk displacement. In the conventional method, the improved position of the disk was determined and recorded when the mandibular position was just before the TMJ clicking occured between ICP and the protrusive position. However the ideal positions of the mandibular head and articular disk when the appliance is used are still unknown. The purposes of this study were firstly to examine the relative position of the mandibular head and articular disk when the repositioning appliance was used for the patients in the conventional method, and secondly to determine the mandibular position which the dentist should record in order to use the appliance. The MRI of the TMJ and TMJ arthrography using a single contrast method were used for each observation of the relative position of the mandibular head and articular disk. The results showed that when using the mandibular repositioning appliances the ideal relative position of the mandibular head and articular disk for all patients was when the protrusive position of the mandible was 2mm more than the conventional position.