Comparison the effects of skeletally class II patients treatment with fixed functional appliance on the temporomandibular joint

The aim of this thesis is to compare the changes in the temporomandibular joint of functional treatment with Herbst Appliance between Class II patients with and without intra-articular temporomandibular disorder. 36 patients with Class II malocclusion were included (mean age:15.41±1.6years). Group 1 consisted of 18 patients who did not have non-acute intra-articular joint disorder (mean age: 15.6±0.4 years) and Group 2 consisted of 18 patients who have non-acute intra-articular joint disorder (mean age: 16.01±4.4 years). Lateral cephalometric radiographs and magnetic resonance images were obtained before and at the end of the treatment. The quality of life questionnaire (OHIP-14 index) was applied during the treatment and pain experienced was recorded using VAS. The data were compared using the t-test, One Way Anova, Kruskal Wallis and chi-Square tests. While SN-GoMe angle showed statistically significant difference, the other cephalometric parameters showed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for all time points in pain experience (p>0.05). OHIP-14 SC scores was statistically higher in Group 1 than Group 2 at 1st week (T3), 1st month (T4), 2nd month (T5) and the end of the Herbst treatment (p<0.05). OHIP-14 ADD scores was statistically higher in Group 1 than Group 2 at 1st month (T4), 2nd month (T5) (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for MRI parameters (p>0.05). The results of this study showed that fixed functional treatment with the Herbst appliance did not have a negative effect on the temporomandibular joint in patients with and without TMJ problems, and even improved disc position for both groups. The response to the treatment for dentoskeletal changes, treatment comfort and pain experience was similar in patients with and without TMJ problems.