Follow-up examination of the temporomandibular joint disk after splint therapy by magnetic resonance imaging--a case report.

A 38-year-old female patient presented with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, bilateral clicking and intermittent locking. The patient was treated with a splint in order to decrease the symptoms and to obtain a proper disk-condyle relationship. The effect of the splint therapy was investigated after one month and after one year and five months using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with splints in place. After treatment for one year and six months, the clicking sound of the right TMJ disappeared, and she became free from locking. With the aid of MRI, it was found that the disk of the right TMJ had changed from an anterior position with reduction to a superior position. In the left TMJ, the disk changed from an anterior position without reduction to an anterior position with reduction. MRI gave important information on the disk position and the efficacy of the splint therapy.