Stabilization splint therapy and orthodontic camouflage treatment of severe skeletal Class II with degenerative condylar changes

Abstract

Patients with degenerative condylar changes pose great challenges to orthodontists and orthognathic surgeons, as patients suffering from the disease often have detrimental occlusions. In addition, their subjective symptoms are either disguised or gradually deepen as the disease progresses. This case report describes a patient with degenerative condylar changes and a 3 mm shift between the centric relation position and maximum intercuspal position, where the mutuality and causality between the two disorders cannot be verified. A stabilization splint was worn to eliminate abnormal muscle activity and provide favorable conditions for condylar reconstruction. Significant bony remodeling and deposition of the temporomandibular joints were observed through computed tomography. Orthodontic camouflage treatment was conducted to correct an overjet of approximately 10 mm and a deep overbite. The complaint of lip incompetence was recovered successfully with satisfactory improvement in the profile.