## 3 Results  
Table 3 represents the means, the lower (CI.I) and upper (CI.u) limits of 95% confidence interval of the changes between \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{T}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{M}\) vs. \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{R}\), \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{M}\) vs. \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{I}\) and \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{I}\) vs. \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{I}\)2 mountings for OJ and OB and Table 4 changes between \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{O}\) vs. \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{I}\) and \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{I}\) vs. \(\mathrm{T}\mathrm{I}\)2 lateral cephs for the selected cephalometric variables, respectively. Figure 2: Representative CBCT images of the most frequent osseous changes of TMJ; flattening (**a**), surface erosion associated with surface irregularity (**b**), irregular TMJ joint space (**c**), sclerosis (**d**). When compared screening mountings to models in MI (T0\({}^{\text{MI}}\) vs. T0\({}^{\text{CR}}\)) significant differences were found in horizontal and vertical overlap of the incisors. OB decreased by 1.33 \(\pm\) 0.73 mm (\(p\) = 0.0005) while OJ increased by 1.22 \(\pm\) 0.69 mm (\(p\) = 0.0022). Following full time acrylic splint wear (T0 vs. T1), there was a significant average increase (2.58\({}^{\circ}\)\(\pm\) 0.93\({}^{\circ}\)) (\(p\) = 0.0000) in lower facial height (palatal plane-mandibular plane angle) and a significant decrease in facial axis angle (1.67\({}^{\circ}\)\(\pm\) 1.54\({}^{\circ}\)) (\(p\) = 0.0004), which in turn had a sagittal effect as the ANB angle increased significantly by 1.47\({}^{\circ}\)\(\pm\) 0.70\({}^{\circ}\) (\(p\) = 0.0000). Consequently, both OB and OJ showed a significant change on postplint mountings when compared to centric occluded models (T0\({}^{\text{MI}}\) vs. T1); OB had an average decrease of 3.14 \(\pm\) 1.65 mm (\(p\) = 0.0000) and OJ an average increase of 2.58 \(\pm\) 1.51 mm (\(p\) = 0.0000). In every examined variable, molar intrusion (T1 vs. T2) resulted in statistically significant changes as well. After intrusion of the molars, mandible exhibited counterclockwise rotation, which was confirmed by decreased lower facial height and increased OB (4.03 \(\pm\) 1.88 mm (\(p\) = 0.0000)), decreases in ANB and OJ. The palatal plane-mandibular plane angle decreased by 2.83\({}^{\circ}\)\(\pm\) 1.78\({}^{\circ}\) (\(p\) = 0.0000), the ANB angle by 1.67\({}^{\circ}\)\(\pm\) 1.12\({}^{\circ}\) (\(p\) = 0.0000) and the OJ by 2.06 \(\pm\) 2.13 mm (\(p\) = 0.0000). The mean change in facial axis angle was + 2.33\({}^{\circ}\)\(\pm\) 2.08\({}^{\circ}\) (\(p\) = 0.0000). Figure 3a shows representative superimpositions of T0 vs. T1 and Figure 3b superimpositions of T1 vs. T2 lateral cephalographs, respectively. When comparing pre -and posttreatment CBCT images of TMJ, the frequency of derangement was found to be different on the left and right sides. Table 5 summarizes the pre-and posttreatment frequencies of TMJ alterations. On the right side, flattening before the treatment was seen in 61.11% and 72.22% on the left side, which showed a significant improvement to 27.78% on the right and 38.89% on the left side following intrusion (posttreatment). Assessment of the CBCT findings of surface erosion and irregular condylar surface showed 72.22% on the right and 55.56% on the left side which significantly decreased to 22.22% on both posttreatment sides. Irregular TMJ space and/or absence of anterosuperior position of the condyle was 66.67% on the right and 61.11% on the left side, which significantly improved, as only 16.67% of the patients showed still nonideal