[Effects of orthodontic treatment on temporomandibular joint in adult female low-angle patients with skeletal class III malocclusion].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of orthodontic treatment on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in adult low-angle patients with skeletal class III malocclusion.


METHODS
Sixteen adult female low-angle patients with skeletal class III malocclusion were included in the study. All patients were treated with OPA-K straight wire technique. Lateral cephalometric and corrected transcranial projection films were taken before and after treatment. Cephalometric analysis was carried out. All data were analyzed statistically.


RESULTS
After orthodontic treatment, the linear measurement and area of anterior space in TMJ increased by 0.27 mm (P < 0.001) and 0.70 mm(2) (P < 0.01), respectively, while the posterior space decreased by 0.24 mm and 0.67 mm(2), respectively (P < 0.001). Linear ratio decreased from 22.13% to 9.64% (P < 0.001), and area proportion decreased from 1.56 to 1.19 (P < 0.01). Anterior space became equal to the posterior space. Cephalometric analysis showed that point Co, Ar, Go and Pg were all retruded (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
After orthodontic therapy, the condyle moved posteriorly to normal concentric position, which would be helpful in alleviating temporomandibular disorders (TMD) symptom in adult low-angle patients with skeletal class III malocclusion.
Wang
Chun-ling
CL
Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China. wangchl@sdu.edu.cn
Zhao
Yan-hong
YH
Guo
Jie
J
Lü
Tao
T
Wang
Xiu-yin
XY
Zhu
Kun
K
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult