Correlation Between Masticatory Efficiency and Mandibular Mobility in Patients Undergoing Orthognathic Surgery

Dentofacial deformities are severe malocclusion injuries that affect masticatory efficiency and they are treated with orthognathic surgery¹. A possible side effect of this surgery is the reduction mandibular mobility². The aim of this study was to verify if there is correlation between masticatory efficiency and mandibular mobility after seven months from orthognathic surgery, in subjects with dentofacial deformity class II (CII) and class III (CIII). This study was approved by ethics committee of the Institution involved. The research was conducted with 25 patients, 12 presented diagnosis of dentofacial deformity CII and 13 CIII, mean age 25 years. Masticatory efficiency was analyzed by the colorimetric method with beads. Each individual chewed two beads capsules in a habitual manner, one at a time, being timed for a period of 20 seconds, with a 3 minute interval between chewing episodes. In order to evaluate mandibular mobility a digital caliper was used. Maximum mouth opening, right lateral excursion, left lateral excursion and protrusion of the jaw were measured. Mandibular mobility and masticatory efficiency in subjects with dentofacial deformities were correlated using Pearson correlation statistical test. A statistically significant correlation (p> 0.05) between the masticatory efficiency and maximum mouth opening (r=0.18; p=0.38), right lateral excursion (r=-0.29; p=0.16), left lateral excursion (r=-0.25; p=0.23) and protrusion of the jaw (r=-0.06; p=0.76) was not found. Therefore, the mandibular mobility did not influence the masticatory efficiency in patients submitted to orthognathic surgery in any movements analyzed.

References:

1- Picinato-Pirola MN, Mestriner W Jr, Freitas O, Mello-Filho FV, Trawitzki LV: Masticatory efficiency in class II and class III dentofacial deformities. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 41(7):830-4, 2012

2- Sinobad V, Dodic S, Strajnic L, Vukadinovic M: The effects of orthognathic surgery on mandibular movements in patients with mandibular prognathism. Srp Arh Celok Lek 140(11-12):704-10, 2012