Assessment of condylar positional changes in severe skeletal class II malocclusion after surgical-orthodontic treatment.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the positional changes in the condyle in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of severe skeletal class II malocclusion patients treated with surgical-orthodontics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The measurements of TMJ space in 97 severe skeletal class II malocclusion patients (20 males, 77 females, mean age, 24.8 years, mean ANB = 7.41°) were assessed using limited cone-beam computed tomography (LCBCT) images acquired before orthodontics (T0) and 12 months after surgery (T1). 3D remodeling of the TMJ and measurements of the anterior space (AS), superior space (SS), and posterior space (PS) were performed to determine the position of the condyle for each joint. All data were analyzed by t test, correlation analysis, and Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The mean AS, SS, and PS values after the therapy changed from 1.684 to 1.680 mm (0.24%), 3.086 to 2.748 mm (10.968%), and 2.873 to 2.155 mm (24.985%), respectively. The decreases in SS and PS were statistically significant. Positive correlations were found in the mean AS, SS, and PS values between the right and left sides.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of orthodontic and surgical treatment makes the condyle move counterclockwise in the TMJ in severe skeletal class II patients.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Studies of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) intervals changes in patients with severe skeletal class II after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) are limited. The postoperative joint remodeling, resorption, and related complications remain unstudied.