Abstract
Using subjects conscious of tempromandibular joint sounds, three-dismensional measurements were taken within the movement of the mandibular border at points where the sounds occured during opening and closing of the mouth. Changes in sound were also observed after fitting splints. Similar measurements were also taken on patients diagnosed as having a TMJ dysfunction.
1. The mandibular position when sound occured in subjects varied greatly between opening and closing of the mouth.
2. From the characteristic mandibular positions where the TMJ sounds occurred in individuals during opening and closing of the mouth, it was possible to divide the subjects into five groups. Splints used were also different according to these characteristics.
3. When the anterior repositioning splint was used on subject in the early phase of opening the mouth, the phase became even earlier.
4. When the stabilization splint was used during opening of the mouth for two of the group with different characterisics, the extent of position change in each group proved to be different.
5. A particular relationship was observed between the changing sound position and the splint fitting, which suggests a relationship between the sound position and the cause of the TMJ sound and the effect of splint therapy.
