Correlation analysis of temporomandibular joint changes after maxillary protraction in adolescent patients

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of anterior traction on the temporomandibular joint in adolescent patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion. Methods Twenty-nine patients with early permanent dentition with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusions were measured by cephalometry and a coordinate system before and after maxillary protraction. The correlation between dentofacial structures and the temporomandibular joint was analyzed. Results After maxillary protraction, cephalometric measurements showed that the dentofacial structure changed significantly; ANB increased by 3.97° ± 2.32° (P0.05). Correlation analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between the posterior margin of the temporomandibular joint fossa and U1-SN (r = -0.427, P = 0.042). There was a moderate positive correlation between the leading edge of the condyle and ANB (r = 0.425, P = 0.043); there was no correlation between the joint space and dentofacial changes. Conclusion After treatment with maxillary protraction for adolescent skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion, maxillary protraction had some effect on changes in the temporomandibular joint fossa and condyle and had no effect on the joint space.

Keywords

• early permanent dentition，
• adolescents，
• skeletal class ⅲ malocclusion，
• temporomandibular joint，
• dentofacial structure，
• maxillary protraction，
• correlation analysis，