Changes in the masticatory cycle after treatment of posterior crossbite in children aged 4 to 5 years.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to analyze the dynamics of the masticatory cycle after occlusal adjustment through coronoplasty on deciduous teeth (selective grinding) and composite resin occlusal guidance for posterior crossbite correction.


METHODS
Nineteen children, aged 4 to 5 years, with functional posterior crossbites diagnosed at their clinical examinations, were selected. Analyses of masticatory cycles, including lateral excursive movements, were performed before and after treatment by using kinesiographic examinations in the 3 reference planes (frontal, horizontal, and sagittal). The examinations were done during bubble-gum chewing. The data were submitted to sign, Mann-Whitney, and paired t tests concerning the variables: left maximum lateral movement, right maximum lateral movement, total lateral movement (LM), vertical movement (VM), anteroposterior maximum movement, maximum lateral movement (MLM), and total maximum lateral movement (TMLM).


RESULTS
The treatment produced increased TMLM, a significant increase of the MLM opposite the crossbite, no statistically significant difference of the crossbite side, and a significant decrease of LM. Left crossbite children showed significant decreases in the LM after treatment; right crossbite children showed significant increases in VM after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional crossbite treatment with selective adjustment and occlusal guiding changed masticatory cycle patterns, producing larger horizontal and vertical planes. The cycles became more symmetric in the frontal plane, increasing the tendency of bilateral alternate mastication.
Neto
Godofredo Pignataro
GP
Department of Physiologic Sciences, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Puppin-Rontani
Regina M
RM
Garcia
Renata C M Rodrigues
RC
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D019558:Occlusal Adjustment / Q000379:methods; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000180:Acrylic Resins; C029012:Composite Dental Resin; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D011140:Polyurethanes