The effect of mandibular protrusive (activator) appliances on articular eminence morphology

In studying the response of the glenoid fossa to mandibular protrusive appliances, apart from the condyle, much attention has been focused on what happens to the posterior wall of the fossa (post-glenoid process). Remarkably, the articular eminence has been overlooked, although it is the most adaptive area of the temporomandibular joint. The purpose of this study was to explore the type of response of the articular eminence morphology to the use of mandibular propulsive appliances (activators). The study material consisted of individually corrected pre- and posttreatment lateral tomograms of 35 patients (18 boys and 17 girls) who had been diagnosed as suitable for treatment with a mandibular protrusive appliance (activator). The tomograms were scanned and digitized on screen, and points located on each tomogram and linear measurements were used to evaluate any change in glenoid fossa morphology. Paired t-tests were applied separately for the left and right sides to compare pre- and posttreatment measurements. Paired t-tests were also applied to test any difference between the left and right sides. The results of this study show that there is no statistically significant change in articular eminence morphology (height and inclination) as a result of using mandibular protrusive appliances.