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Biomedical subjects

T A Timm

Publications and source records attributed to T A Timm.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Report of a case.

Occlusal bite splint therapy and the application of sound principles of functional occlusion resulted in a definitive diagnosis and successful orthodontic re-treatment of a patient with chronic disorder of the left temporomandibular joint. This case report demonstrates that latent mandibular growth and orthodontic retention can produce anterior premature centric contacts. The anterior prematurities prevented the posterior teeth from occluding without the left condyle first dislocating from the glenoid fossa. Occlusal bite splint therapy allowed the mandible to move to a position of greater maxillomandibular stability, illustrating the need for anterior freedom for the mandible. The patient became asymptomatic 1 month after slight intrusion and changing of the axial inclination of the maxillary incisors, which provided a freedom of centric occlusion and allowed the condyle to seat in the fossa. TMJ radiographs supported the clinical findings.

Adolescent

Maxillary traction splint: a cephalometric evaluation.

Orthodontists are particularly interested in knowing exactly what skeletal and dental changes are produced by headgear. With headgear and fixed appliances, part of the observed change is due to the headgear, part to the fixed appliances, and part to growth. Since the maxillary traction splint moves the teeth en masse, the dentoskeletal changes are due primarily to the headgear force. Selective mandibular dental changes can be produced by adjusting the mandibular occlusal contacts against the splint. In this study forty-seven patients with maxillary dentoalveolar protrusions and Class II, Division 1 malocclusions were treated with orthopedic headgear that attached to a full-coverage maxillary occlusal splint. Fifty-two patients were selected as a control for evaluation of growth changes versus treatment changes. Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after treatment, and the sagittal skeletal and dental changes were evaluated and quantified. The results of the investigation revealed (1) the establishment of a Class I posterior occlusion, (2) a significant overjet reduction, averaging 4.24 mm, (3) inhibition of vertical development of the maxilla and slight intrusion of the maxillary dentition, (4) overbite reduction by leveling of the mandibular dentition, (5) no indication that mandibular growth is accelerated, and (6) no significant increase in the mandibular plane angle. The maxillary traction splint is an effective means of correcting maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion in growing patients prior to fixed appliance therapy. The second phase of treatment with fixed appliances is necessary for individual tooth positioning and for detailing the occlusion.

Adolescent

Occlusion and orthodontics.

The importance of considering the functional aspects as well as the static concepts of an occlusion was demonstrated in the case of an 11-year-old girl with postorthodontic temporomandibular joint muscle pain dysfunction. The following characteristics of an ideal occlusion were discussed as they relate to the entire masticatory system: 1. There should be no slide in centric; that is, there should be a stable jaw relationship when occlusal contact is made in centric relation closure. 2. There should be freedom in centric, that is, freedom for the mandible to move from centric relation to centric occlusion and slightly anterior to centric occlusion without interference. 3. Centric relation should be at the same contact vertical dimension as centric occlusion. 4. There should be no buccolingual thrust or impact to any tooth on closure to contact in centric relation or to centric occlusion. 5. Between centric relation and centric occlusion there should be an unrestricted glide with maintained occlusal contact. 6. Complete freedom for smooth-gliding occlusal contact movements in various excursions from both centric occlusion and centric relation. 7. Occlusal guidance should be on the working or functioning side rather than on the balancing or nonfunctioning side. 8. There should be no soft-tissue impingment from occlusal contacts. In effect, the occlusion should be related to centric relation and centric occlusion prior to, during, and at the completion of active treatment. The final occlusion should provide unhindered closure in centric relation, smooth-sliding lateral and protrusive movements, and an optimal bilateral vertical contact dimension. Orthodontic treatment must include proper occlusal adjustment procedures to obtain the goals of an ideal occlusion in most instances.

Child