[Orthodontic treatment in the distal displacement of the mandible]

A total of 598 patients with various occlusions and dentition defects were examined; 112 (18.7%) of these presented with distal dislocation of the mandible. Shortening of interalveolar distance was found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of this dislocation. This shortening occurs in abnormal teeth abrasion and loss of many molars and premolars maintaining the occlusion height. Masticatory function was found disordered in 56 (50% of patients with distal dislocation of the mandible. Orthodontic treatment of these patients was carried out by sagittal shift of the mandible to a distance of 1 to 2 mm and subsequent fitting with prostheses. Good results were attained in 94.55% of cases.