Ettlin DA Mang H Colombo V Palla S Gallo LM 2008 Occlusal splints are used for the management of temporomandibular disorders, although their mechanism of action remains controversial. This study investigated whether insertion of an occlusal splint leads to condyle-fossa distance changes, and to mandibular rotation and/or translation. By combining magnetic resonance images with jaw tracking (dynamic stereometry), we analyzed the intra-articular distances of 20 human temporomandibular joints (TMJs) before and after insertion of occlusal splints of 3 mm thickness in the first molar region. For habitual closure, protrusion, and laterotrusion in the contralateral joint, occlusal splints led to minor--yet statistically significant--increases of global TMJ space and to larger increases at defined condylar areas. Condylar end rotation and translation in habitual closure were reduced. Hence, the insertion of a 3-mm-thick occlusal splint led to a change in the topographical condyle-fossa relationship, and therefore to a new distribution of contact areas between joint surfaces. https://sonar.ch/global/documents/50602 eng info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1177/154405910808700903 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/18719217 Journal of dental research. - 2008 Adolescent Adult Biomechanical Phenomena Centric Relation Cephalometry Female Humans Imaging, Three-Dimensional Male Mandibular Condyle Occlusal Splints Range of Motion, Articular Reference Values Temporomandibular Joint Vertical Dimension Stereometric assessment of TMJ space variation by occlusal splints. http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501