Temporomandibular joint adaptations following maxillary osteotomy in adolescent monkeys.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the histologic appearance of temporomandibular joints of monkeys who had undergone total maxillary osteotomy. The specific aim of the study was to seek clues that might explain the inhibition in the mandibular growth 27 months following the surgery performed on adolescent monkeys. Eighteen female adolescent Macaca fascicularis monkeys were used. Eight served as control and ten were experimental. All experimental animals underwent 3.0 to 5.0 mm superior and 0.5 to 2.5 mm anterior repositioning of the maxilla. All animals were killed 27 months after the surgical procedure. Qualitative and quantitative histologic evaluations of the temporomandibular joints were done and results were compared with the cephalometric data. The findings showed no pathologic changes, although the histologic appearance of the temporomandibular joints of the experimental animals was more mature than that of the controls. The histologic results support cephalometric findings and the data are discussed in relationship to the role of maxilla, maxillary teeth, and occlusion in regulating mandibular growth.