Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41766017›Full record

ArticleOral and maxillofacial surgery2026

Long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of Michigan-type stabilization splint therapy on patients with temporomandibular joint degenerative joint disease: a CBCT-based retrospective cohort study.

Jia Shi, Juntong Liao, Zhongshan Tao, Zinan Cen, Xinqi Huang, Tian Tang, Xiao Cen

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Oral and maxillofacial surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jia ShiState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Juntong LiaoState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Zhongshan TaoState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Zinan CenAutonomous Systems and Biomechatronics Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Xinqi HuangState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Tian TangState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
Xiao CenState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China. cenx@scu.edu.cn.

Funding

Development Foundation of West China Hospital of Stomatology RD-02-202507Research and Develop Program, West China Hospital of Stomatology Sichuan University LCYJ-MS-202501Sichuan Science and Technology Program 2025ZNSFSC0751
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo evaluate the long-term efficacy of Michigan-type stabilization splint (SS) therapy on clinical symptoms and osseous structural changes in patients with temporomandibular joint degenerative joint disease (TMJ DJD). MATERIALS AND

methodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed 30 patients diagnosed with TMJ DJD who underwent 1-year full-time SS therapy. Clinical records and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data were systematically collected at baseline (T0), 3 years post-treatment (T1), and long-term follow-up (T2 ≥ 4 years). Longitudinal changes in clinical symptoms (pain, mouth opening, clicking) and radiographic joint morphology (joint space, bone scores) were assessed.

resultsAt the 3-year follow-up (T1), 83.3% of patients reported significant pain relief (p < 0.001), a benefit that was sustained at the long-term follow-up (T2). While maximal mouth opening and joint clicking prevalence remained statistically stable, distinct individual trajectories were observed. Radiographically, condyles showed significant spatial repositioning with expanded superior (+ 0.53 mm, p < 0.001) and posterior (+ 0.69 mm, p = 0.034) joint spaces. However, regarding osseous integrity, hyperplasia progressed significantly (p = 0.005), and total bone scores increased over time (p < 0.05), indicating ongoing degenerative changes despite symptomatic relief.

conclusionsMichigan-type SS therapy provides durable symptomatic relief and induces favorable joint space adaptations but does not arrest the progression of osseous degeneration over the long term. These findings suggest that splints primarily facilitate biomechanical adaptation and load redistribution rather than structural regeneration.

Indexed as

Cone-Beam Computed TomographyOcclusal SplintsOsteoarthritisTemporomandibular Joint DisordersAdultAgedFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedRange of Motion, ArticularRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeBone quality analysisCone-beam computed tomographyJoint spaceLong-term efficacyMichigan-type stabilization splintTemporomandibular joint degenerative joint disease

Identifiers

PMID41766017

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