Malocclusion as a common occurrence in temporomandibular joint arthroscopic disc repositioning: outcomes at 49 days after surgery.

Purpose To evaluate the incidence, clinical manifestation, and prognosis of malocclusion after arthroscopic disc repositioning and suturing of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Patients and Methods The study included 211 patients (270 joints) with internal derangement of the TMJ who underwent arthroscopic disc repositioning and suturing from November 2005 to August 2006. The occlusion was checked and recorded preoperatively and at different intervals (0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 days after surgery) for all patients. The incidence of malocclusion after surgery was determined for every follow-up period. The χ 2 test was applied to assess the statistical significance of the changes of the incidence of malocclusion. Results The incidences of malocclusion were 100%, 80.1%, 67.8%, 46.9%, 28.9%, 18.0%, 15.7%, 14.6%, and 14.2% at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 49 days after surgery, respectively. There was a significant difference between neighboring follow-up periods within 28 days after surgery, whereas there was no significant difference from 28 to 49 days after surgery ( P > .05). The main clinical manifestations of malocclusion were posterior open bite on the surgery side, incisal prematurities, and mandible midline deviated or nondeviated. Conclusion Malocclusion commonly occurs after TMJ arthroscopic disc repositioning and suturing. However, it will improve within 28 days after surgery in most patients. If malocclusion lasts over 28 days, appropriate treatments should be considered.