Poster 199: Changes in Masticatory Function After Surgical Orthognathic Treatment in Patients With Jaw Deformities: Efficay of Masticatory Exercise Using Chewing Gum

Abstract

Recovery of masticatory function is one of the important objectives of orthognathic surgery. In the present study, changes of masticatory function after surgery and efficacy of masticatory exercise were evaluated longitudinally in 41 patients in whom jaw deformities were surgically corrected and masticatory exercise using chewing gum were conducted for five minutes two times a day for 90 days. The findings of masticatory function were compared with those of 20 control subjects with normal occlusion and those of 15 patients in whom jaw deformities were surgically corrected and masticatory exercise were not conducted. Masticatory efficiency was measured using ATP granules, and the number and area of occlusal contacts and maximum occlusal force were evaluated by Occlusal Prescale, and subjective feeding abilities were evaluated by questionnaires.Measurements were performed three times, namely before surgery, and six months and one year after surgery. The mean masticatory efficiency in the patients with high executing rates of masticatory exercise was increased postoperatively to the same level as control group, but that in the patients with low executing rates of masticatory exercise was low and at the same level as the patients without masticatory exercise. On the other hand, improvement rates of the number and area of occlusal contacts were not correlated with executing rate of masticatory exercise. Subjective feeding abilities were considerably improved postoperatively in all patients. In conclusion, it is considered that masticatory exercise using chewing gum after orthognathic surgery is effective to improve maximum occlusal force and masticatory efficiency in the patient with jaw deformity and should be integrated into the treatment.