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Functional and oral health–related quality-of-life outcomes 12 months after disc repositioning in women with refractory bilateral disc displacement without reduction

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate longitudinal changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), pain, and mandibular function over 12 months after temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc repositioning with mini-anchor fixation in women with refractory bilateral disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 34 women with bilateral DDwoR confirmed by Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), refractory to at least 6 months of conservative therapy, were assessed at baseline (T0), 1 month (T1), and 12 months (T2). Outcomes included the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), visual analog scale for pain (VAS-P), Helkimo Clinical Dysfunction Index (DI), and mandibular mobility measurements. Longitudinal changes were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Pain (VAS-P) decreased from 7.6 to 0.7, OHIP-14 from 29.4 to 7.0, and DI from 4.1 to 1.4 by 12 months (all p < 0.001). Reductions in OHIP-14 and VAS-P exceeded the predefined MCIDs (OHIP-14, ≥ 4.0 points; VAS-P, ≥ 2.0 points on the 0-10 scale). Mandibular mobility also improved significantly over time. Age-group analyses were exploratory; although an overall time × age interaction was observed for OHIP-14, no significant between-group differences were found at postoperative time points. CONCLUSION: TMJ disc repositioning with mini-anchor fixation was associated with significant improvements in OHRQoL, pain, and function in women with refractory bilateral DDwoR over 12 months. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Source: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

DOI: 10.1007/s10006-026-01569-x