Chewing side, bite force symmetry, and occlusal contact area of subjects with different facial vertical patterns.
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.
Department of Clinics and Preventive Dentistry, Dental School, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Simone Guimarães Farias
SG
Gomes
William
W
Custodio
Fernanda
F
Faot
Altair Antoninha Del Bel
AA
Cury
Renata Cunha Matheus Rodrigues
RC
Garcia
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001732:Bite Force; D002508:Cephalometry; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008410:Masticatory Muscles / Q000502:physiology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult