Long-term effects of the Herbst appliance on the craniomandibular system with special reference to the TMJ.

The purpose of this study was: (1) to analyse the long-term clinical implications of Herbst treatment on the masticatory system, and (2) to analyse the radiographic appearance of the temporomandibular joints at the time of follow-up using lateral tomography of the right and left TMJ. The sample consisted of 19 consecutive male subjects with a Class II, Division 1 malocclusion treated with the Herbst appliance for an average period of 7 months. The patients were reinvestigated at the end of the growth period (an average of 7.5 years after treatment). The anamnestic, clinical, and radiographic findings revealed that Herbst treatment did not seem to have any long-term adverse effects on the craniomandibular system.