Abstract
TMJ noise is a sign of TMJ dysfunction. This study observed the changes of TMJnoise using a stabillization splint.
21 subjects having only TMJ noise, were measured for noise position and its value duringopening and closing of the mouth before fitting a stabilization splint and again two weeks later.
Also 5 patients with TMJ dysfunction were measured by the same method.
1. During opening, there were many TMJ noises in the last phase, but the value was largestin the first phase. During closing, there were many TMJ noises in middle phase but the valuewas the same in all phases.
2. The stabilization splint decreased the frequency and value of TMJ noises.
3. The decreased noises during the first and middle phases of opening moved more to thefirst phase, and the last phase noise disappeared two weeks after fitting.
4. Increased noises occured in the last opening phase two weeks after fitting.
5. There was no one tendency during closing after fitting.
6. As a result, the noise position and movement of the noise position have a particular relationshipto the cause of the noise. This suggests a relationship between the thick part of the discand location of the condyle, and too much movement of the condyle.
