In order to evaluate the long-term results of conservative treatment on TMJ closed lock, a fol-low-up study of thirty-two patients was performed 2 to 7 years after treatment. Evaluating method included the questionnaire, clinical examination, transcranial radiograph and mandibular kinesiography.
The results were as follows:
Seventy-eight percents of patients reported that symptoms were reduced completely or con-siderably. Recurrent headache was improved after treatment (72 percents of success rate). There was a significant decrease in VAS after treatment and at follow-up comparing with that of before treatment( p<0.01). Most common variable of Helkimo’s clinical dysfunction index at follow-up was impared TMJ function. There was a significant decrease in Fricton’s craniomandibular index and dysfunction index(p<0.01). Mean interincisal distance was incresed by 14.07mm after treatment and was also incresed at follow-up by 2.80mm comparing with that of after treatment(p<0.01). Before treatment, condylar translation measurements of affected and non-affected sides on the transcranial radiograph were 4.89±3.20mm and 9.09±3.73mm respectively and at. follow-up examination, those were 14.98±4.77mm and 17.05±4.35mm respectively. At follow-up, condylar translation were increased significantly comparing with those of before treatment( p<0.01). In 93.1% of patients, the condylar position of affected side at maximum mouth opening was behind the articular eminence before treatment but the percentage was decresed to 13.8% at fol-low-up(p<0.01). The pattern and range of mandibular movements at follow-up examination were similar to the typical normal movements. And in 16 cases showing lateral deviation of opening path, the deviation was directed to the affected and non-affected sides with the same frequency.
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