Prevalence of Temporomandibular Dysfunction in the Class II Division I Untreated Patient and the Class II Division I Orthodontically Treated Patient with Premolar Extractions

Abstract

Orthodontics has been suggested as a form of treatment for temporomandibular (TM) disorders, while at the same time orthodontic treatment accompanied by premolar extraction has been blamed for producing iatrogenic internal derangement of the TM joint. Signs and symptoms of TM disorders were evaluated by a clinical history questionnaire and a thorough clinical examination. The clinical examination entailed TMJ manipulation, palpation of muscles and TM joints, and recording the active range of motion. The 45 patients in each pre-treatment and post-treatment group were obtained from the Orthodontic Clinic at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. With the exception of age, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups.