Radiographic changes of the temporomandibular joint after oblique sliding osteotomy of the mandibular rami.

64 patients with mandibular prognathism were operated upon with oblique sliding osteotomies of the mandibular rami. The patients were followed with cephalometric and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) radiographs for 3 years. 60% of the TMJs showed skeletal remodelling 3 years postoperatively. The condylar remodelling was significantly correlated to the degree of postoperative displacement of the condyle. The average condyle displacement postoperatively was about 3 mm inferiorly and anteriorly, but the position was almost completely back to normal during the control period, due to a combination of reverse movement of the condyle and remodelling. Mandibular relapse was not correlated to postoperative displacement of the condyle or condylar remodelling. The range of condylar movement was unchanged at follow-up.