Clinical study of modified posterior dental splint in the treatment of anterior disk displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint

Purpose To investigate the clinical effect of modified posterior dental splint in the treatment of anterior disk displacement without reduction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Methods Eight-nine patients with anterior disk displacement without reduction of the TMJ who were treated in Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from October 2016 to October 2017 were selected in the study. 47 patients in the first group were treated by modified posterior dental splint, while 42 patients in the second group were treated by stabilization splint. The patients' pain index, mouth opening degrees were collected before treatment,3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS 18.0 software package, multivariate test was used to compare the indicators between the two groups. Results The effect of modified posterior dental splint on treating limited mouth opening was better than those of stabilization splint(P 0.05). Conclusions Modified posterior dental splint is a new type of splint for the treatment of TMJ disorders. It is suitable for clinical application.