Alteration of temporomandibular joint symptoms after orthognathic surgery: comparison with healthy volunteers.

PURPOSE

The purpose was to investigate alterations in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction after orthognathic surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

TMJ symptoms of preoperative patients (n = 30) were compared with those of healthy volunteers (n = 30), and changes in the symptoms were evaluated at 3- and 6-month postoperative intervals.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the incidence of TMJ sounds, deviation of mouth opening, and tenderness of TMJ and masticatory muscles between patients and volunteers. Patients did not report TMJ symptoms significantly more often than the control subjects. At both 3 and 6 months after surgery, half or more of the patients showed no change in TMJ sounds, deviation of mouth opening, or tenderness of TMJ and masticatory muscles. At each evaluation, some patients exhibited improvement of TMJ symptoms or showed changes for the worse. Findings of TMJ sounds were observed to be associated with the postoperative reduction of mandibular mobility.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that alterations of TMJ symptoms after orthognathic surgery do not always result from the correction of malocclusion.