Facial Patterns and Masticatory Symmetries

University of Campinas, Brazil86 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to evaluate chewing side preference, and lateral asymmetry of occlusal contact area and bite force of individuals with different craniofacial patterns

Dolichofacial subjects presents poorer mechanical advantage, less efficiency in masticatory muscles during mastication and in generating bite force, smaller occlusal contact area and masticatory capacity when compared to brachyfacial individuals. Wide, bilateral chewing cycles were related to better masticatory performance, however, unilateral chewing was reported to be very common in population, and it has been associated to lateral asymmetry on bite force and occlusal contact area. It has been reported that dolichofacial subjects need greater muscular effort during mastication when compared to meso and brachyfacial subjects. This may cause functional overloading of weaker masticatory muscles, and may lead to functional asymmetries.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Facies

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 32 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Full dentition, good general and oral health Exclusion Criteria: * Facial deformities * Severe malocclusion * History of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder * History of parafunctions * History of maxillofacial surgery or jaw injuries and orthodontic treatment concluded in the last 2 years

Locations (1)

Piracicaba Dental School

Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Masticatory movements during mastication

A jaw tracking device was positioned on subjects face, who were asked to chew an artificial material in their habitual way. Tracings of jaw lateral movements during mastication were analyzed to classify in which side each chewing stroke was taken. If 80 percent or more chewing cycles were classified as left or right, the subjects were considered as unilateral chewer.

Time frame: 2 hours

Secondary Outcomes

Bite force and occlusal contact area

A strain gauge was positioned on subject's first molar region unilaterally to measure the symmetry of bite force. The individual was asked to bite as hard as possible. The procedure was repeated to the other side, and the bite symmetry of sides was analyzed. To evaluate symmetry of occlusal contact area, a registration of posterior teeth was performed with the subjects in maximal intercuspal position. The registration was digitalized, discolored, color inverted and adjusted for size to evaluate thickness of registration material using a software.

Time frame: 2 hours

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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