Functional unilateral posterior crossbite effects on mastication movements using axiography

This prospective clinical study investigated the influence of functional unilateral posterior crossbite (FUPXB) on the mastication movements by using computer Arcus Digma Kavo®. Axiography. Objectives: Compared the patterns of the first, third and fifth chewing movement cycles with the preference mastication side to establish if they would predict the chewing preference and if there are any correlation with the side of the crossbite, and the extent of the maximal lateral and vertical displacements of the mandible during chewing Methods: The study comprised a study group (9 girls and 7 boys) included 16 patients with FUPXB involving 3 or more posterior teeth and the control group comprised 15 individuals (9 girls and 6 boys) with normal occlusion, both groups with mean age of 9 years and 2 months. All participants had no signs or symptoms of temporomandibular disorder. The masticatory movements were registered for thirty seconds during the chewing. To understand the significant differences between the groups, Studentxs t test and Mc Nemar test were used. Results: The present study found out that overall the left side was the preference mastication side. The Mc Nemar Test (p=0,50) show that there was no relationship between the side of the crossbite and the masticatory preference side. The mastication side in the first cycle coincided with the preference chewing side, in 91% in the study group and the 5th cycle coincided with the preference side in 100% in a control group. Both groups showed similar maximal lateral (p=0,28) and vertical (p=0,51) mandible displacement Conclusions: There was no relationship between the side of the crossbite and the masticatory preference side. The first cycle predict the preference side in 91% to the study group and the fifth cycle in 100% to the control group. There was no relation in maximal lateral and vertical mandible mastication displacement.