[The efficacy of the orthodontic treatment of pathological dental abrasion complicated by temporomandibular joint dysfunction].

A total of 426 patients, 215 female and 211 male ones, aged 40 to 65, were treated for abnormal abrasion of the teeth; 52 of these developed temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Orthodontic and physiotherapeutic methods were added to the complex of therapeutic measures for this patient population. Orthodontic treatment was aimed at normalization of the occlusion height (interalveolar space) and mandibular status and was carried out with a plastic cup attached to the denture for a period of up to 6 months. This was followed by rational prosthetics. Good late results were achieved in 48 patients (92.2 percent) with temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Four patients developed recurrences of such dysfunction in various periods after the treatment.