Clinical Efficacy and Imaging Evaluation of Stabilization Splints in The Treatment of Adolescents with Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis: A Retrospective Case Series

Background Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) is a degenerative joint disorder characterized by condylar resorption that may impair mandibular growth and development in adolescents. Stabilization splints are widely used, but their effects on bone repair, growth, and disc position remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and imaging outcomes of stabilization splint therapy in adolescents with TMJ-OA. Methods This retrospective study included 48 adolescents (12 males, 36 females; mean age, 15.8 ± 1.8 years) with TMJ-OA treated with stabilization splints between January 2020 and December 2025. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed at baseline and 6 months in all patients (80 affected condyles), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at baseline and 1 month in a subset of 15 patients (20 affected condyles). Main outcome measures included clinical symptoms, condylar morphology, and disc position. Paired t-test and McNemar test were employed to evaluate longitudinal changes in clinical symptoms. Results Significant improvements were observed for maximum mouth opening at T3 and T4, joint noises at T2 and T3, and spontaneous pain at T3 (all p < 0.0125). CBCT demonstrated cortical bone repair in 43.75% of affected condyles, with significant increases in anteroposterior, mediolateral, and height dimensions in repaired condyles. MRI showed no significant changes in disc displacement distance, disc length, or disc angle. Conclusions Stabilization splint therapy improved clinical symptoms and promoted condylar cortical bone repair in adolescents with TMJ-OA. However, its effects on disc repositioning and condylar growth were limited.