Condylar Motion in Patients with Reduced Anterior Disc Displacement

Abstract

The influence of reduced anterior disc displacement on condylar motion has not been fully examined in young adults. Reduced anterior disc displacement was hypothesized to inhibit condylar motion. Using a six-degrees-of-freedom jaw-tracking system, we recorded bilateral condylar motion during maximum open-close jaw movement and gum-chewing on both sides in ten young adults with unilateral reduced anterior disc displacement and in ten control subjects without temporomandibular disorders. The bilateral condylar motion during both maximum open-close jaw movement and chewing on the disc-displacement side was inhibited in the test group. The condylar motion on the disc-displacement side during chewing on the non-disc-displacement side was also inhibited in the test group. These results suggest that the limitation of condylar motion on the disc-displacement side may influence condylar motion on the non-disc-displacement side during maximum open-close jaw movement, and mastication on the disc-displacement side in young adults.