Long-term status of temporomandibular joint function and functional occlusion after orthodontic treatment

Abstract

The status of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and functional occlusion was evaluated by means of a questionnaire and a detailed clinical examination in a group of seventy-five subjects between 25 and 55 years of age who had been treated orthodontically with full fixed appliances at least 10 to 35 years previously, during adolescence. The findings were compared to those of a control group of adults with untreated malocclusions. The findings indicate that in patients who underwent orthodontic treatment many years previously the prevalence of TMJ signs/symptoms is similar to that of a control group of adults with untreated malocclusions. However, a trend exists which suggests that subjects who have undergone extensive fixed appliance orthodontic treatment many years previously may possibly have a lower prevalence of TMJ problems than a similar group of adults with untreated malocclusions. A similar high prevalence of nonfunctional occlusal contacts occurred in the orthodontically treated and control groups. Also, a high prevalence of mandibular shift from the retruded contact to the intercuspal position was evident in both groups, with the shift being significantly greater in the control group than in the orthodontic group. When subjects in the orthodontic and control groups were combined, no relationship was evident between subjects exhibiting signs or symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and the presence of nonfunctional occlusal contacts and mandibular shifts.