Assessment of condylar positional changes in severe skeletal class II malocclusion after surgical-orthodontic treatment

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the positional changes in the condyle in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of severe skeletal Class II malocclusion patients treated with surgical-orthodontics. Materials and MethodsThe measurements of TMJ space in 97 severe skeletal Class II malocclusion patients (20 males, 77 females, mean age, 24.8 years, mean ANB = 7.41°) were assessed using limited cone-beam computed tomography (LCBCT) images acquired before orthodontics (T0) and 12 months after surgery (T1). 3D remodelling of the TMJ and measurements of the anterior space (AS), superior space (SS), and posterior space (PS) were performed to determine the position of the condyle for each joint. All data were analysed by t test, correlation analysis and Pearson correlation coe cient. ResultsThe mean AS, SS, and PS values after the therapy changed from 1.684 mm to 1.680 mm (0.24%), 3.086 mm to 2.748 mm (10.968%), and 2.873 mm to 2.155 mm (24.985%), respectively. The decreases in SS and PS were statistically signi cant. Positive correlations were found in the mean AS, SS, and PS values between the right and left sides. ConclusionsThe combination of orthodontic and surgical treatment makes the condyle move counter-clockwise in the TMJ in severe skeletal Class II patients.