Morphological changes in the temporomandibular joint after orthodontic treatment for Angle Class II malocclusion

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the morphological temporomandibular joint (TMJ) changes that occur after orthodontic treatment in patients with Angle Class II malocclusion.

Methods: The post-treatment changes in TMJ morphology were analyzed, based on TMJ cephalometric laminographs in 19 patients with Angle Class II malocclusion and labial inclination of the upper incisors after premolar extraction.

Results: The condylar pass angle, articular eminence to the Frankfort horizontal plane angle, and total, upper, and lower heights of the articular fossa increased significantly on both sides after treatment and retention. The anteroposterior width of the articular fossa decreased significantly on both sides after treatment and retention.

Discussion: These results suggest that adaptive bone remodeling of the TMJ occurs during the correction of occlusion with labial inclination of the upper incisors by orthodontic treatment after premolar extraction in patients with Angle Class II malocclusion.

Keywords:

• Temporomandibular joint
• Angle Class II
• orthodontics
• tomography
• bone remodeling