To study the effect of anterior traction on the temporomandibular joint in adolescent patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion.

Twenty-nine patients with early permanent dentition with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusions were measured by cephalometry and a coordinate system before and after maxillary protraction. The correlation between dentofacial structures and the temporomandibular joint was analyzed.

After maxillary protraction, cephalometric measurements showed that the dentofacial structure changed significantly; ANB increased by 3.97° ± 2.32° (P<0.001); U1-SN increased by 4.97° ± 5.51° (P<0.001); L1-MP decreased by 1.26° ± 1.41° (P = 0.008); and MP-SN increased by 1.02° ± 3.90° (P = 0.003). The coordinate system measurement showed that the S-Fpx was decreased by 0.16 ± 1.52 mm (P = 0.041), the S-Ciy distance was significantly decreased by 0.09 ± 2.03 mm (P = 0.028), and there was no significant change in the temporomandibular joint spaces (A, P, and C) (P>0.05). Correlation analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between the posterior margin of the temporomandibular joint fossa and U1-SN (r = -0.427, P = 0.042). There was a moderate positive correlation between the leading edge of the condyle and ANB (r = 0.425, P = 0.043); there was no correlation between the joint space and dentofacial changes.

After treatment with maxillary protraction for adolescent skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion, maxillary protraction had some effect on changes in the temporomandibular joint fossa and condyle and had no effect on the joint space.