title: Simplified technique to measure mandibular range of motion.
abstract: The validity and reliability of a simplified technique to measure mandibular range of motion was studied in 10 dentate subjects without symptoms. The simplified technique consisted of marking with a pencil the centric relation and maximum right, left, and protrusive positions and maximum opening. These markings were made on a tongue blade held against the maxillary anterior teeth with the mesioincisal embrasures between the mandibular central incisors used as a reference. Range of motion was also measured with a mandibular kinesiograph as the control. Each method was repeated five times on each subject by each of three investigators. Intraclass correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate level of agreement between the two techniques and high inter-rater reliability for the three investigators for all positions except maximum left movement. These data support the hypothesis that this simplified technique is a valid and reliable way to measure mandibular range of motion.
authors.affiliation: Oral Rehabilitation, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Rivera-Morales
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016302:Centric Relation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement; D015588:Observer Variation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000502:physiology*