Passive eruption in the treatment of craniomandibular dysfunction: a posttreatment study of 151 patients.

There is sparse posttreatment evaluation of craniomandibular dysfunction (CMD). This study describes the use of an orthopedic interocclusal appliance with passive eruption for the treatment of CMD. The clinical results of 151 patients treated using the passive eruption procedures were assessed at a follow-up time averaging 1.75 years after treatment with a highly structured telephone interview questionnaire. The treated patient population was chronic, averaging 2.58 years in pain and 2.25 previously ineffective treatments for their CMD. Although this was a subjective inquiry, the treated patients confirmed significant reductions in symptoms, a decrease in pain and interference ratings, and reduced health care utilization. A subgroup of 38 patients who previously had no relief with flat-plane therapy exhibited similar positive results. Treatment failures were also assessed but were low. The results are discussed in terms of the patients' support of the efficacy of the passive eruption procedure, including the need for future research.