PURPOSE: to investigate and to describe the functional characterization and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) before and after orthognathic surgery and myofunctional treatment of Class II Dentofacial deformity patients. METHOD: a longitudinal study including 22 subjects with Class II dentofacial deformity, defined after analysis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, was conducted. The investigation was divided in 2 steps: myofunctional evaluation prior to the surgery and a re-evaluation 4 months after the orthognathic surgery and myofunctional treatment. Statistical tests were used to compare the data. RESULTS: initial complaints included functional difficulties. The functional disorders were described. TMD was observed in the majority of the sample. After treatment the complaints decreased; the majority of the patients showed remission of the TMD and functional improvement. CONCLUSION: there are specific myofunctional modifications related to the stomatognathic functions and to TMD in Class II Dentofacial deformity patients. Both the surgery and the speech therapy produced myofunctional modifications, with reduction of initial complaints, as well as a decrease of TMD and correction of functional patterns. The swallowing function was the most benefited by the treatments.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders; Retrognathism; Mastication; Deglutition; Speech; Rehabilitation
