A 5-year follow-up of temporomandibular disorder treatment emphasizing condylar asymmetry.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment giving priority to oral stability, i.e. creating stability for the mandible in the individual retruded position of the mandible (RPM), focusing condylar asymmetry. Twenty-nine (29) patients treated for TMD participated in the study. A standardized TMD examination was executed originally and an identical examination was performed at the follow-up in a private TMD practice. In general, the patients showed a significant increase of their maximum active mouth opening capacity (p < 0.01) and a significant decrease of dynamic and static pain at the performed tests (p < 0.001). Patients initially suffering facial pain showed a significant reduction of their pain with treatment (p < 0.01). The patients with condylar asymmetry >10%, and who underwent treatment aiming at permanent oral stability, showed the greatest improvement.