Clinical importance of median mandibular flexure in oral rehabilitation: a review.
The mandible has a property to flex inwards around the mandibular symphysis with change in shape and decrease in mandibular arch width during opening and protrusion of the mandible. The mandibular deformation may range from a few micrometres to more than 1 mm. The movement occurs because of the contraction of lateral pterygoid muscles that pulls mandibular condyles medially and causes a sagittal movement of the posterior segments. This movement of mandible can have a profound influence on prognosis and treatment outcome for various restorative, endodontics, fixed, removable and implant-related prosthesis. The review unfolds the causes, importance and clinical implications of median mandibular flexure in oral rehabilitation. This review also highlights the appropriate preventive measures and techniques that should be adopted by clinicians to minimise the effect of flexural movement of the jaw during oral rehabilitation. This would not only help clinicians to achieve a good prosthesis with accurate fit and longevity but also maintain the health of the surrounding periodontal or periimplant gingival tissues and bone.
Department of Prosthodontics, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
K
K
Sivaraman
Faculty of Dentistry, Melaka Manipal Medical College, Manipal, India.
A
A
Chopra
Department of Periodontics, A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, India.
S B
SB
Venkatesh
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000502:physiology; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
cross-arch prosthesis; implants; mandible; mandibular flexure; mandibular jaw movements; muscles of mastication