[Changes in the functional status of the stomatognathic system due to orthodontic multiband treatment in the adult].

Ten patients who undergo an orthodontic therapy with a full-band modified straight-wire-appliance were examined clinically and by means of an electronic axiographic device (SAS-system) at the beginning of treatment and after an average of 12.6 months, respectively. While the clinical functional status showed only minor changes, alterations of all examined axiographic parameters could be detected. This finding reemphasizes the necessity of modern axiographic means to get additional information about the functional status of the TMJ. The alterations point to a shift in the functional pattern of articular and muscular components during orthodontic treatment. In the majority of cases, axiographic parameters remained constant, however. In that respect, it might be of special interest that even uncoordinated tracings, mainly in the horizontal plane, kept up its characteristic appearance. These findings show clearly, that alterations of occlusal relationships must not influence articular functional patterns immediately.