Recapturing the Dislocated Disc

Inside each jaw joint is a small cushion of cartilage called a disc. It sits between the two bones of the joint and acts as a shock absorber, allowing smooth, comfortable movement. In many people with TMD, this disc has shifted out of its proper position, a condition called disc displacement or disc dislocation.

When the disc is displaced, the clicking, popping, or locking sensations that many TMD patients experience are often the sound or feeling of the condyle (the rounded end of the lower jaw) catching and sliding over the edge of the displaced disc as the mouth opens and closes.

In early or moderate stages of displacement, it is sometimes possible to reposition the disc back to where it belongs using a combination of carefully fitted oral appliances. This process is called disc recapturing.

Dr. Yolanda Cruz is a general dentist. Disc recapturing treatment is provided within the scope of general dentistry.

How it works:

The goal of disc recapturing is to find the jaw position at which the disc stays in its correct location, usually by positioning the lower jaw slightly forward of its habitual resting position. When the jaw is held in this position, the clicking and popping typically stop, because the condyle is no longer sliding over the displaced disc.

A combination of a daytime appliance and a night appliance is used to hold the jaw in this position consistently, allowing the disc to stabilize in its new location over a period of months.

Important considerations:

• Disc recapturing is not appropriate for every patient. The longer a disc has been displaced, the more it may have changed shape, making stable repositioning more difficult.
• An MRI is typically required to confirm whether the disc can be recaptured before treatment begins.
• If disc recapturing is successful, a second phase of treatment is needed to make the new jaw position permanent. Otherwise, the disc will eventually displace again when the appliances are removed. This second phase may involve bite adjustments or restorative dental work, depending on the individual situation.
• In cases where disc recapturing is not suitable or not possible, effective treatment is still available by managing the joint in its current state, as described in the section on the arthritic TMJ below.