Chewing side, bite force symmetry, and occlusal contact area of subjects with different facial vertical patterns

Simone Guimarães Farias Gomes,William Custodio,Fernanda Faot,Altair Antoninha Del Bel Cury,Renata Cunha Matheus Rodrigues Garcia

doi:10.1590/s1806-83242011005000014

Abstract

Craniofacial dimensions influence oral functions; however, it is not known whether they are associated with function asymmetry. The objective of this study was to evaluate chewing side preference and lateral asymmetry of occlusal contact area and bite force of individuals with different craniofacial patterns. Seventy-eight dentate subjects were divided into 3 groups according to the VERT index as follows: (1) mesofacial, (2) brachyfacial and (3) dolichofacial. Chewing side preference was evaluated using jaw tracking equipment, occlusal contact area was measured by silicon registration of posterior teeth, and bite force was measured unilaterally on molar regions using 2.25 mm-thick sensors. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA on Ranks, Student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney tests at a 5% significance level. Mesofacial, brachyfacial, and dolichofacial subjects presented more occlusal contact area on the left side. Only dolichofacial subjects showed lateral asymmetry for bite force, presenting higher force on the left side. No statistically significant differences were found for chewing side preference among all groups. Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that craniofacial dimensions play a role in asymmetry of bite force. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01286363.

Highlights

Basic jaw opening and closing movements during mastication are centrally determined and adjusted by receptors found in the periodontium, the temporomandibular joints, the tongue, mucosa, tendons, and muscle spindles of elevator muscles, all of which play an important role in chewing.[1]
It has been reported that the masticatory muscles of dolichofacial subjects are less efficient in generating bite force at a particular point on the lever arm, due to reduced mechanics when compared to brachyfacial subjects.[3,4]
A significant positive correlation between maximum bite force and occlusal contact area was observed for right (r2 = 0.341) and left (r2 = 0.273) sides

Summary

Introduction

Basic jaw opening and closing movements during mastication are centrally determined and adjusted by receptors found in the periodontium, the temporomandibular joints, the tongue, mucosa, tendons, and muscle spindles of elevator muscles, all of which play an important role in chewing.[1]. It has been reported that the masticatory muscles of dolichofacial subjects are less efficient in generating bite force at a particular point on the lever arm, due to reduced mechanics when compared to brachyfacial subjects.[3,4] If bite force is considered to be a key determinant of masticatory function,[5] it would be expected that mastication would be affected by craniofacial morphology.[6]. Reduced masticatory function is related to smaller occlusal contact area.[7] During growth, the musculature of the neck attached to the

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Conclusion