OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the fixed functional appliance treatment on the position of the temporomandibular condyle in the glenoid fossae by means of 3-dimensional computerized tomography (3D CT) in a group of class II patients.

SUBJECTS & METHODS: Twenty patients had an Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion with an overjet greater than 5 mm were selected for this clinical study. All patients were in pre-pubertal growth period with a mean age 12 years 7 months. Ten patients treated with a fixed functional orthodontic appliance (Forsus Nitinol Flat Spring) for 9 months. The other ten patients had no treatment during this time and were used as control group. 3D CT records were taken from the temporomandibular joint region at the beginning and the commencement of the treatment (T1 and T2). At the same time intervals, 3D CT records were also taken in the control group. These records were used for measurement of condyle/fossae relationship including the volume of anterior and posterior joint spaces. Changing in the volume was calculated (T2 – T1), and comparisons between the groups were done by Student's t-test at the 0.95 level of confidence.

RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the measurements gained from the right and left sides of the subjects (p>.05). Although in the fixed functional appliance group the anterior joint space volume increased more than the control group, this difference was not statistically significant. Only significant difference was found between the groups for the posterior joint space volume/total joint space volume ratios [posterior joint space X 100 / (posterior joint space + anterior joint space)].

CONCLUSION: The Forsus Nitinol Flat Spring appliance treatment changed the volumes of the anterior and posterior joint spaces, and thus the temporomandibular condyle was more posteriorly positioned in the glenoid fossae than the control group.

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