Improvement of masticatory function after orthodontic treatment. Two case reports.

ABSTRACT

In patients with temporomandibular joints dysfunction (TMD), the masticatory function is often altered in that (1) the intercuspal position (ICP) is less frequently achieved; (2) the mean vertical displacement from ICP at the end of opening is above normal; and (3) the isometric muscle contraction pattern during closure tends to be suppressed. We describe two cases of growing patients with severe malocclusion, who showed the same functional alterations as patients with TMJ before treatment, and normalization of the masticatory function after orthodontics.