OBJECTIVETo evaluate a new treatment method for temporomandibular joint acute disk displacement without reduction.

METHODSTwenty-one patients diagnosed as acute anterior disk displacement without reduction were treated by manipulation with the aid of joint cavity extension followed by anterior repositioning splint. All and eleven of twenty-one patients were re-examined two weeks after insertion of splint and at the end of treatment (3 approximately 6 months later).

RESULTS(1) Degree of maximum mouth opening was increased from 25.8 mm before treatment to 46.6 mm 2 weeks after, 48.1 mm at the end of treatment; (2) Mean pain level (VAS) dropped from 2.62 before treatment to 0.43 2 weeks after, 0.18 at the end of treatment; (3) Fricton's TMJ dysfunction index and craniomandibular index decreased from 0.337 and 0.185 respectively before treatment to 0.021 and 0.011 respectively 2 weeks after, 0.031 and 0.018 respectively at the end of treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment method should be considered for acute anterior disk displacement without reduction if medication and physical therapy failed to have disk successfully reduced.