AXIOGRAPHIC AND CEPHALOMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF THE FUNCTIONAL ORTHOPEDIC THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH CLASS II DIVISION 1 MALOCCLUSION

Purpose: the aim of this study was to examine the changes in the cranio-facial structures caused by the functional orthopedic treatment with activator on the individuals with class ii division 1 malocclusion, and to determine its effects on the functions and movement biomechanics of temporomandibular joint. materials and methods: the study group consisted of 44 individuals at the pubertal growth spurt, who had skeletal class ii division 1 malocclusion and no temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms. of these individuals, 23 were female with an average chronological age of 11.2 years ± 9 months and 21 were male with an average chronological age of 12.9 years ± 8 months. the individuals included in the study were divided into two groups, one being the treatment group of 24 individuals and the other being the control group of 20 individuals, and they were evaluated and observed for 10 months. the material of the study consisted of pre- and postprocess lateral cephalometric films and axiographic condylar pathway tracings which were taken before the process and in the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th months of the process and finally after the process. skeletal, dento-alveolar and soft tissue measurements were carried out on lateral cephalometric films, while opening-closing and protrusion length, openingclosing and protrusion angle and opening-closing and protrusion depth measurements were carried out on the axiographic condylar pathway tracings. also, the maximum opening capacity of the mouth of the individuals was measured. results: with the analysis of lateral cephalometric records, statistically significant differences were determined between treatment and control groups related improvements of intermaxillary relationship or growth. statistical evaluation of axiographic datasets and maximal opening capacity of the mouth showed also significant time-dependent differences in treatment group, cause of therapautic effects of treatment mechanics on related structures. conclusion: as a result of the functional orthopedic treatment by the activator, the relation between jaws improved depending on the changes in skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissues, and adaptive changes appeared in temporomandibular joint functions.