A case report of TMJ closed lock reduced with occlusal splint therapy with MRI evidence

Introduction: Symptomatic cases of TMJ internal derangement can be associated with significant morbidity causing severe pain and limitation in functioning. Painful clicking or locking should be treated initially and at the earliest with conservative therapy including manual manipulation, anti-inflammatory drugs and oral appliances. Clinical Presentation: A 24 year old female patient with pain in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region and discomfort while mouth opening, was diagnosed with internal derangement of TMJ disc. A pre-treatment MRI revealed non-reducing disc displacement of the right TMJ and reducing disc displacement of the left TMJ. After four months of stabilization splint therapy her symptoms subsided and a post-treatment MRI taken a year later revealed reducing disc displacement bilaterally. Conclusion: This case report potentiates the practice of employing occlusal splints for initial non-surgical management of TMJ internal derangement with MRI evidence.