Condylar position of pre-orthodontic patients with malocclusion

Objective To study the condylar distraction and its influencing factors between centric relation( CR) and centric occlusion( CO) of pre-orthodontic patients with malocclusion. Methods seventy-six patients with malocclusion were recruited. The condylar distractions between CR and CO were measured by an AD2 articulator and Measurement of Condylar Displacement( MCD). Results From CR to CO,all patients displayed a difference of occlusion. Mandible rotated to posterior-inferior direction. 77. 6% condylar diastractions were beyond acceptable range. There was no correlation between condylar distraction amount and occlusion variation,gender and skeletal malocclusion. Conclusion Orthodontists should pay more attention on the high incidence of condylar displacement in pretreatment patients with malocclusion,measure condylar displacement to unmask real jaw relationships and avoid possible misdiagnoses.