• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 1998

A patient with TMJ osteoarthritis and anterior open bite was treated with an intermaxillary traction device. Pretreatment examination revelaed a pain in both TMJ during mouth opening, moderate tendernesso f left sternocleidomastoid and right trapezius muscles. Anterior open Bite was aobserved with interincisal distance of 2mm. Tomograms and MRI showed anterior disc displacement withouit reductoin of both temporomandibular joints, and the condyles were flattened and slightly eroded. A pair of full-coverage occlusal appliances was made on both maxillary and mandibular dentition, with pivoting fulcrum on the site of the second moalr. Traction force was gained by the intermaxillary orthodontic elastics which were hooked by orthodontic brackets on the labial surfaces of the upper and lower anterior and premolar teeth. After 8 weeks of traction treatment, the joint pain was subsided completely and the anterior open bite was closed to get an edge to edge relationship of anterior teeth.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2022

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) causes destruction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and can lead to occlusal changes such as anterior open bite in some patients. Consequently, these patients may experience difficulty in chewing food items and exhibit abnormal functional habits such as bruxism, preventing healing of the TMJ condyles. Treatment protocols include the use of traction appliances to reduce stress on the condyles. Unstable occlusions can lead to weakness of the masticatory muscles which, in turn, worsen the occlusal changes and complicate pain management. Therefore, the current study evaluated the condition of the masseter muscle using ultrasonography and educated patients on the execution of gum-chewing exercises for muscle strengthening. It also aimed to assess the effects of traction appliances and strengthening exercises on the masticatory muscles of patients with occlusal changes caused by TMJ OA.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.84-91
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• 2013

Temporomandibular joint disorder(TMJD) was mainly characterized with joint pain, motion limitation, joint sound, resulted from pathologic conditions in temporomandibular joint and around tissue. As temporomandibular joint is one of decisive factors determining the occlusion, disorders in temporomandibular joint may cause the occlusal changes. The causes of occlusal changes related with TMJD can be classified into 2 categories; (1) those related to progression of disorder, 2) those related to treatment of the disorder. The clinical manifestation of occlusal changes depend on their causes and affected site. Therefore, whenever possible, treatment should be directed to the relief of the underlying causes, However, it is not always possible to relieve the underlying conditions. Moreover, some occlusal changes may remain irreversible even after the considerable improvement in clinical symptoms. Regarding the treatment of the permanent occlusal changes, it has been reported that the extensive occlusal treatment including occlusal adjustment, prosthodontic treatment, orthodontic treatment should be applied. Here, we present with a case report of occlusal change caused by the progressive temporomandibular joint disorder, together with introducing the intermaxillary traction appliance as the possible treatment option.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.477-482
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• 2006

The new type of orthodontic mini-implant named C-implant can be an effective alternative to conventional one-component mini-implant in the intermaxillary fixation (IMF) cases because of its particular design. The small size, two-part design, efficiency, and low cost of the C-implant make it applicable to various types of IMF cases easily such as fracture reduction and orthognathic surgery. The two part design resists highly to the fracture or deformation during implantation and removal. The long span head allows the patient to easily attach intermaxillary elastics, so that the patient can apply intermaxillary elastics for traction easily. Through this article, we tried to show the possibility of this appliance as a good adjunct for the IMF screw.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2012

A 35 year-old female presented with the complaint of sudden occurrence of bite change and concurrent opening limitation, as well as pain in the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ) during mouth opening. From her history it was revealed that she had simple clicking of right TMJ for several years before onset of these symptoms, and that the clicking sound subsided recently after development of opening limitation. On clinical examination, anterior open bite, midline shift of the mandible to right, and premature contacts on left posterior teeth were observed. Maximum mouth opening and lateral movement to left were also restricted. On magnetic resonance images, the right TMJ showed anterior disc displacement without reduction and the posterior joint space is greatly collapsed by retrusion of the condyle. It was thought that the sudden occurrence of occlusal change would be resulted from abrupt displacement of the mandible associated with development of the anterior disc displacement without reduction. The stabilization appliance traction therapy was performed initially for first 3 months along with physical and pharmacologic therapy. However, the anterior open bite and opening limitation didn't resolve and the position of mandible still remained altered. So the stabilization appliance was changed to intermaxillary traction device. Then the mandible returned progressively to normal position and the occlusion became more stable and comfortable. After 5 months of intermaxillary traction therapy, the anterior open bite was dissolved completely and the occlusion became stabilized satisfactorily along with recovery of normal mouth opening range. On post-treatment magnetic resonance image, remodeling of condylar head was observed.