Axiographic Assessment of Masticatory System function in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Background: The use of axiographic devices provides a simple and minimally invasive way to detect masticatory abnormalities, enabling early preventive action and treatment with a long-term impact on the good functioning of the masticatory systemObjective: The aim of the study was to collect normative data from the stomatognathicsystem using elecrtonic axiography and to find the differences between males and females.Material: The study evaluated 98 females and 88 males, in a mean age of 19 years with full natural dentition corresponding to Angle’s Class I.Methods: All the participants undertook clinical examination and electronic axiography using the Cadiax Compact II.Results: A significantly higher Quantity Maximal S3d in men (p=0.021), a trend towards higher Transverse Condyle Inclination Values 3 mm in women and a significantly lower reproducibility of the opening and closing movements were found in women (p=0.022).Conclusion: The graphs of opening and closing movements in a group of healthy women and men with no symptoms from the masticatory system differed significantly between genders. The Quantity Maximal S3d parameter is higher in men, but because of the large range of values, this parameter cannot be a single criterion used to detect TMJ dysfunction.