This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Open AccessArticle
An Innovative Approach to Managing Temporomandibular Disorders Through the Combined Use of Two Oral Devices: A Case Report
by
Antonio Spagnuolo
Antonio Spagnuolo 1,*,
Roberta Iacono
Roberta Iacono 2
,
Gian Mauro Liberatore
Gian Mauro Liberatore 3 and
Carlo Di Paolo
Carlo Di Paolo 1
1
Gnathologic Division, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy
2
F.A.S. Screening for Prevention and Oral Health, Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy
3
Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana of Pisa, Cisanello, 56100 Pisa, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(1), 273; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010273 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 30 October 2025
/
Revised: 19 December 2025
/
Accepted: 24 December 2025
/
Published: 26 December 2025
Abstract
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are increasingly prevalent in the adult population. Given the multifactorial and often chronic nature of TMD, the ideal therapeutic approach must be multimodal and personalized, with a preference for conservative treatments. However, standardized protocols combining occlusal devices and biobehavioral therapy for internal derangement (ID) are still lacking. Case Presentation: A 20-year-old male patient presented with bilateral anteromedial reducible disc displacement, with intermittent locking on the right. He reported joint noises, difficulty chewing, and occasional painful mouth opening. A comprehensive diagnostic workup, including clinical, functional, and radiographic evaluations, was performed. The patient underwent a biobehavioral gnathological therapy involving two oral devices: RA.DI.CA. and By-Te ® Reali. The protocol included personalized exercises, patient education, and behavioural counselling. Results. The patient achieved full remission of pain, disappearance of joint noises, and restoration of mandibular function, without dental movement. Pre- and post-treatment MRI and condylography confirmed improved condyle-disc relationships, increased intra-articular space, and better symmetry of movements, particularly on the right. Conclusion. The combined use of RA.DI.CA. and by-Te ® Reali devices, supported by a personalized functional programme, appears effective in managing TMD with ID. Further studies on larger populations are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this protocol.
Share and Cite
MDPI and ACS Style
Spagnuolo, A.; Iacono, R.; Liberatore, G.M.; Di Paolo, C.
An Innovative Approach to Managing Temporomandibular Disorders Through the Combined Use of Two Oral Devices: A Case Report. Appl. Sci. 2026, 16, 273.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010273
AMA Style
Spagnuolo A, Iacono R, Liberatore GM, Di Paolo C.
An Innovative Approach to Managing Temporomandibular Disorders Through the Combined Use of Two Oral Devices: A Case Report. Applied Sciences. 2026; 16(1):273.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010273
Chicago/Turabian Style
Spagnuolo, Antonio, Roberta Iacono, Gian Mauro Liberatore, and Carlo Di Paolo.
2026. "An Innovative Approach to Managing Temporomandibular Disorders Through the Combined Use of Two Oral Devices: A Case Report" Applied Sciences 16, no. 1: 273.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010273
APA Style
Spagnuolo, A., Iacono, R., Liberatore, G. M., & Di Paolo, C.
(2026). An Innovative Approach to Managing Temporomandibular Disorders Through the Combined Use of Two Oral Devices: A Case Report. Applied Sciences, 16(1), 273.
https://doi.org/10.3390/app16010273
Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details
here.
Article Metrics
Article Access Statistics
For more information on the journal statistics, click
here.
Multiple requests from the same IP address are counted as one view.