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Temporomandibular disorders, occlusion and orthodontic treatment

Malmö University, Sweden

T. Henrikson, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, Malmö University, Carl Gustafs väg 34, S-205 06 Malmö, Sweden. Email: thor.henrikson{at}od.mah.se

Objectives: To prospectively and longitudinally study symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and occlusal changes in girls with Class II malocclusion receiving orthodontic fixed appliance treatment in comparison with untreated Class II malocclusions and with normal occlusion subjects.

Design: Prospective observational cohort.

Subjects: Sixty-five girls with Class II malocclusion who received orthodontic treatment, 58 girls with no treatment, and 60 girls with normal occlusion.

Method: The girls were examined for symptoms and signs of TMD and re-examined 2 years later. Additional records were taken in the orthodontic group during active treatment and 1 year after treatment

Results: All three groups included subjects with more or less pronounced TMD, which showed individual fluctuation during the ongoing study. In the orthodontic group, the prevalence of muscular signs of TMD was significantly less common post-treatment. Temporomandibular joint clicking increased in all three groups over the 2 years, but was less common in the normal group. The normal group also had a lower overall prevalence of TMD than the orthodontic and the Class II group at both registrations. Functional occlusal interferences decreased in the orthodontic group, but remained the same in the other groups over the 2 years.

Conclusions: (i) Orthodontic treatment either with or without extractions did not increase the prevalence or worsen pre-treatment symptoms and signs of TMD. (ii) Individually, TMD fluctuated substantially over time with no predictable pattern. However, on a group basis, the type of occlusion may play a role as a contributing factor for the development of TMD. (iii) The large fluctuation of TMD over time leads us to suggest a conservative treatment approach when stomatognathic treatment in children and adolescents is considered.

Key words: Fixed appliance, occlusion, orthodontic treatment, temporomandibular disorders