[Therapeutic aspects of functional pathology of edentulous patients with temporomandibular osteoarthritis].

Abstract

We reviewed the fundamentals aspects for diagnosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis and its treatment in edentulous patients with the following objectives: to eliminate the inflammatory process, to obtain neuromuscular mandible centricity and to decrease the traumatic effects in the TMJ. We used occlusal splints and dentures that allowed the stabilization of intermaxillary relations in centric areas when it was harmonized the maximum intercuspidation and the muscular centric position. We described, also the treatment and in our opinion the neuromuscular intermaxillary relations are the start point to obtain definitive stability for the oral rehabilitation in edentulous patients.