“RA.DI.CA.” splint for the management of the mandibular functional limitation: A retrospective study on patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction

The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the RA.DI.CA. splint in the management of temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) and jaw functional limitation. The authors developed a retrospective clinical study. A total of 2739 medical records were screened. One hundred and forty-one patients with chronic unilateral disc displacement without reduction and jaw limitation, treated with a multifunctional RA.DI.CA. splint, were enrolled. Temporomandibular pain, headache, familiar pain, neck pain, and emotional strain, maximum spontaneous mouth opening, and lateral excursions were evaluated at baseline (T0), after therapy (T1), and during the follow-up (T2). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Wilcoxon test assessed changes in symptomatology and functional aspects before and after treatment and between T1 and T2, with p < 0.05. Ninety-nine patients (70%) declared themselves “healed” from jaw functional limitation with no residual painful symptoms, 31 (22%) improved their symptoms and jaw function, 11 (8%) reported no changes compared to T0 and no one worsened. As for all parameters analyzed, the comparison between the ones before and after treatment was statistically significant (p <0.05). The RA.DI.CA. splint proved to be highly performing and promoting functional and symptomatologic recovery, also in the medium and long term, through the restoration of the functional disc-condyle relationship and the healing of joint tissues.