Temporom and ibular joint reciprocal clicking; unexpected responses to class II elastic mechanics

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to assess the correlation between the use of class II elastic mechanics in orthodontics and the coincidental relief of TMJ clicking. The study was conducted on a total sample of 24 Saudi patients. All subjects were classified as Angle's class II division 1 malocclusion and with a positive history of reciprocal TMJ clicking. Treatment entailed the extraction of the four first premolars, and the use of direct bonding st and ard edgewise mechanics. During the course of orthodontic treatment, class II elastic mechanics were used for 15 patients [experimental sample group], and J hooks cervical traction were used for 9 patients [control sample group]. On the basis of collected data interpretation, the study showed that 9 out of 15 patients in the experimental sample group showed significant relief of TMJ clicking; on the other h and, only one patient from the control group showed clicking relief. No specific TMJ morphological or positional changes could be detected in both sample groups. This study recommended a further extensive investigation to explore the cause-effect relationship of the abovementioned clinical finding: