Abstract:

Objective　To study the effect of ClassⅢintermaxillary functional orthopedic force on the remodeling of pu- bescent Rhesus monkeys’TMJ for different lengths of time.Methods　Six pubescent Rhesusmonkeyswere divided intotest group and control group. Monkeys in the test groupworeTMAⅢwhile the control group did not. Cephalometric technology and CTscan- ning were employed in this study.Results　①Compared with the control groups, the cephalometric results showed that the rela- tionship of the occlusion changed in the test groups. The growth of the maxilla was promoted and the development of the mandible was inhibited, but the mandibular lengthwas not decreased.②Compared with the control groups, CTscanning results showed that the posterior space ofTMJ in the test group narrowed and the anterior spacewidened. Therewas a statistical difference between the test group and the control group(P<0·01), but no difference within the test group.Conclusion　Under ClassⅢOrthopedic therapy, the occlusion relation was changed. The growth of maxilla was promoted and the development of mandible was inhibited. The posterior space of TMJ narrowed and the anterior space widened in test group.

Key words: temporomandibular joint, ClassⅢmalocclusion, orthopedic force, radiography