Impact Of Treatment On Jaw Growth In Adolescents: Meta-Analysis

To determine the impact of various treatment modalities for anterior disc displacement (ADD) on the growth and development of adolescents' temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 11 studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 9 cohort studies) with 1167 patients diagnosed with ADD. The studies were retrieved from PubMed, Web of Science, and OVID up to March 2024. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) and Cochrane methods were used to assess the certainty of evidence. Data on condylar height and SNB angle were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis. After ADD treatment, patients' condylar heights increased by about 1.76 mm. In the surgical group, condylar heights increased by about 1.82 mm, while in the non-surgical group, the increase was about 0.27 mm, indicating a less significant improvement. Additionally, the SNB angle increased by about 1.62°. ADD treatment can promote condylar growth and reduce the occurrence of maxillofacial deformity, while surgical group showing a more significant improvement than the non-surgical group. Surgical treatment stimulated condylar growth by restoring the normal TMJ structure and repositioning the articular disc to its natural physiological position. In contrast, non-surgical treatment had a less pronounced effect, with better outcomes in patients with reversible anterior disc displacement and poorer results in those with irreversible displacement.