The evaluation of heads of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) position in patients with malocclusion

Abstract

This article is concerned with the evaluation of temporomandibular joint position, symmetrical heads position, timely diagnostics of dentofacial abnormalities. The aim of the investigation is to study position and evaluate symmetry of condyles of temporomandibular joint of dentofacial abnormalities based on Angle’s classification of malocclusion (the first class includes normal jaw relations; the second one contains distal position of mandible, the third class includes medial position of mandible). Materials and methods. 70 patients were involved in the investigations that have dentofacial abnormalities. cone beam computed tomography was also used. Based on Angle’s classification, all patients were divided in three groups: 1st group included 34 patients (the first class), 2nd group included 30 patients (the second class), 3rd group included 6 patients (the third class), 34 male patients and 36 female patients were involved in the investigation aged from 8 to 29 years old. The reveal of heads of temporomandibular joint position was done by Н Gelb in medial sagittal plane of joint. Results. Based on results of our investigation, it has been established that patients having bite abnormalities and correct position of temporomandibular joint heads on either side of position 4/7, only 8 patients are involved in this group (11.43 %). Based on Angle’s classification (the 1st class) symmetrical position of heads of that joint in 4/7 was indicated 17.65 %, the second class includes 6.67 %, the third one contains no one case was established. Despite bite abnormality, number of patients with correct position of condyles in segment 4/7 from 20 % to 5 % is decreased. Besides pathology is caused by increase of asymmetrical correlations of condyles of the joint in the segments with 6.67 % to 50 % (based on Gelb). Conclusions. Despite class of bite pathology symmetrical position of heads in position 4/7 is occurred only in 11.43 % cases, and it indicates the correlation between dentofacial abnormalities and temporomandibular joint pathology, correspondingly complex approach to treatment of orthodontic patients is simply correct. Number of patients with optimal position of heads of the joint in segment 4/7 with 17.65 % based on 1st Angle’s classification, to 6.67 % based on 2nd Angle’s classification, absence of patients of the 3rd class is decreased. Age dynamics of rotational displacement of the centre of condyles is pointed, and it can affect negatively joint function.