Assessment of Condylar Changes in Patients with Degenerative Joint Disease of the TMJ After Stabilizing Splint Therapy: A Retrospective CBCT Study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the TMJ can impact patients' quality of life and complicate orthodontic treatment. Stabilizing splints are a common conservative treatment in managing TMDs symptoms, although their long-term effects on condylar morphology are poorly studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of stabilizing splints on condyle morphology using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in patients with various stages of DJD. Forty-two condyles with pre- (T1) and post- (T2) splint therapy scans were analyzed. METHODS: CBCT scans were sectioned into sagittal and coronal slices for condyle classification and measurement. T1 and T2 CBCTs were superimposed before linear and area measurements at different poles. RESULTS: Our results indicate that condyles in the normal group remain unchanged after splint therapy. The majority of subjects in the degenerative groups remained in the same classification group: six out of fourteen degenerative-active patients became degenerative-repair, while three out of twenty-two degenerative-repair patients progressed to degenerative-active. There is no significant remodeling of condylar width pre- and post-splint therapy. On average, there is more bone deposition than reduction in condylar height after splint therapy, although individual variation exists. CONCLUSIONS: Stabilizing splints offer a low-risk intervention for managing DJD and may contribute to favorable adaptive changes in the condyles.
Source: Diagnostics
Authors: Sara Steinbaum, Anabel Kelso, Nawal Firas Dairi, Normand S. Boucher, Wenjing Yu
Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and Manual Therapy
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,955
OpenAlex ID: W4403607890