LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY ON THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT - COMPARISON OF RIGID AND NONRIGID FIXATION METHODS

Sixty-six patients were examined between 2 and 9.5 years after bilater al sagittal split mandibular ramus osteotomy. Thirty-two patients had nonrigid fixation consisting of superior border wires and intermaxilla ry fixation, while 34 patients had rigid plate fixation of the osteoto my sites with immediate function. There were no demonstrable long-term differences between the two groups with respect to mandibular vertica l opening, crepitance, and temporomandibular joint pain. Masticatory m uscle pain and temporomandibular joint clicking improved with rigid fi xation and worsened with nonrigid fixation.