[Influence on the condyle position by decreasing posterior occlusal plane angle in Class II high angle cases]

To investigate the changes of condyle position by decreasing posterior occlusal plane angle in Class II high angle cases.

Fifteen Class II high angle patients, aged from 15 to 30, were treated. Before treatment, ANB>5°, FH-MP>32°, molar relationship was Class II bilaterally. The treatment began with aligning and leveling the upper and lower dental arch, then the upper arch was expanded when necessary. Multiloop edgewise arch wire (MEAW) was used to guide the mandible forward and flatten the posterior occlusal plane. Cone-beam CT(CBCT) was taken for each patient before and after treatment. The anterior, superior and posterior spaces of temporomandibular joint(TMJ) were measured respectively, and the posterior occlusal plane angle was also measured. Paired t test was used to evaluate the changes of condyle position and posterior occlusal plane angle, and pearson correlation coefficients was used to determine the correlation between changes of condyle position and posterior occlusal plane angle using SPSS 19 software package.

Class II molar relationship of all patients was improved to Class I, and the profile was improved. Posterior and superior space of TMJ increased by 0.88 mm±0.17 mm and 0.45 mm±0.20 mm on average respectively, and both increases were significant. Posterior occlusal plane was flattened, POP-SN and POP-FH decreased by 3.59°±2.31° and 2.31°±3.62°, respectively, and the decreases were significant. Pearson's correlation test showed no significant correlation between changes of condyle position and posterior occlusal plane angle.

In orthodontic treatment of Class II high angle cases, the condyle can be changed to anterior and inferior position by decreasing posterior occlusal plane angle.