ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess three-dimensional changes in the temporomandibular joint positions and mandibular dimensions after correction of dental factors restricting mandibular growth in patients with Class II division 1 or division 2 malocclusion in the pubertal growth period.MethodsThis prospective clinical study included 14 patients each with Class II division 1 (group I) and Class II division 2 (group II) malocclusions. The quad-helix was used for maxillary expansion, while utility arches were used for intrusion (group I) or protrusion and intrusion (group II) of the maxillary incisors. After approximately 2 months of treatment, an adequate maxillary arch width and acceptable maxillary incisor inclination were obtained. The patients were followed for an average of 6 months. Intraoral and extraoral photographs, plaster models, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained before and after treatment. Lateral cephalometric and temporomandibular joint measurements were made from the CBCT images.ResultsThe mandibular dimensions increased in both groups, although mandibular positional changes were also found in group II. There were no differences in the condylar position within the mandibular fossa or the condylar dimensions. The mandibular fossa depth and condylar positions were symmetrical at treatment initiation and completion.ConclusionsClass II malocclusion can be partially corrected by achieving an ideal maxillary arch form, particularly in patients with Class II division 2 malocclusion. Restrictions of the mandible in the transverse or sagittal plane do not affect the temporomandibular joint positions in these patients because of the high adaptability of this joint.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the stages of midpalatal suture (MPS) maturation in patients older than 15 years, and to determine the correlation between the stage of MPS maturation and age and cervical vertebral maturation (CVM). MATERIALS AND METHOD: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 50 patients (29 female and 21 male; mean age, 19.79 ± 4.09 years) were evaluated. Good quality CBCT images from 15-30-year-old patients for evaluation of impacted canines or determination of orthognathic surgery were selected. The CBCT images were evaluated at two different time intervals for determination of the stages of MPS and CVM. The stages of MPS maturation were classified as A, B, C, D, or E using the axial sections by using a method validated previously. The stages of CVM were classified using sagittal sections of the CBCT images. Intra-examiner agreement was assessed using the Kappa test. The correlations between MPS maturation and chronological age and CVM were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation analysis. RESULTS: The Kappa coefficients for intra-examiner agreement were 0.837 and 0.865 for classification of the stages of MPS maturation and CVM, respectively. No significant correlation was observed between chronological age and maturation of MPS (r = 0.212, p = 0.139) and between the stages of CVM and maturation of MPS (r = 0.030, p = 0.839). CONCLUSION: The limitation of our study was a small sample size, and, on the basis of our results, neither CVM nor chronological age could be used as a convenient tool to determine the stage of MPS maturation in 15-30-year-old patients.

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