Introduction. Dysfunction of the temporo-mandibular joint is a frequent, complex, multifactorial disease that is traditionally treated by orthodontic methods, but not always with a positive result.
Goal of research — to assess the effect of osteopathic treatment combined with orthodontic treatment on the temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction and osteopathic status of patients with TMJ disfunction.
Materials and methods. The study included 40 patients with the temporo- mandibular joint dysfunction receiving orthodontic treatment (hard and soft splints, brace system, exercises). All patients were women without severe somatic pathology divided into 2 groups: treatment group and control group. The mean (±SD) age of participants was 27,5±5,3 and 29,2±5,7 years, respectively. In both groups, osteopathic, orthodontic status have been evaluated, patients completed a questionnaire on the status of the temporo-mandibular joint. In the main group, the described orthodontic methods of treatment were supplemented by osteopathic correction.
Results. The study showed a decrease in the number of somatic dysfunctions, objective symptoms and subjective sensations arising from dysfunction of the temporo-mandibular joint. The analysis showed a greater effi cacy of combined osteopathic and orthodontic treatment in comparison with exclusively orthodontic treatment.
Conclusion. The obtained results provide possibility of further research of the effectiveness of osteopathic correction in combination with orthodontic treatment of the temporomandibular joint dysfunction.