Journal of Dental Research, Vol 68, 1765-1770, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals

ARTICLES

Comparison of jaw-muscle bite-force cross-sections obtained by means of magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution CT scanning

P. H. van Spronsen, W. A. Weijs, J. Valk, B. Prahl-Andersen and F. C. van Ginkel
Department of Orthodontics, Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Cross-sectional areas of the jaw muscles were determined by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 12 healthy adult male subjects. These findings were compared with the cross-sectional areas of the jaw muscles of the same subjects, obtained by means of computer tomography (CT) in a previous study (Weijs and Hillen, 1985). Significant correlations (r greater than 0.7) were found between the CT and MRI cross-sections of the masseter, medial pterygoid, and temporalis muscles. The low correlation between the CT and MRI cross-sections of the lateral pterygoid muscle could be explained by the different imaging techniques (slice thickness) of MRI and CT scanning. CT and MRI cross-sectional areas of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscle (but not the temporalis muscle) showed highly positive and significant correlations with the maximal voluntary bite force. In living subjects, the cross-sections of the masseter and medial pterygoid muscles can be visualized with CT and MRI. Compared with CT, MRI has some advantages, such as the absence of adverse effects (no radiation) and the excellent soft-tissue imaging. Furthermore, a series of frontal, horizontal, sagittal, and angulated MRI scans can be made without modification of the patient's position, facilitating reconstruction of the jaw muscles.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. M. Castelo, M. B. D. Gaviao, L. J. Pereira, and L. R. Bonjardim Masticatory muscle thickness, bite force, and occlusal contacts in young children with unilateral posterior crossbite Eur J Orthod, April 1, 2007; 29(2): 149 - 156. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T.K. Goto, S. Nishida, M. Yahagi, G.E.J. Langenbach, Y. Nakamura, K. Tokumori, S. Sakai, H. Yabuuchi, and K. Yoshiura Size and orientation of masticatory muscles in patients with mandibular laterognathism. J. Dent. Res., June 1, 2006; 85(6): 552 - 556. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T.K. Goto, M. Yahagi, Y. Nakamura, K. Tokumori, G.E.J. Langenbach, and K. Yoshiura In vivo Cross-sectional Area of Human Jaw Muscles Varies with Section Location and Jaw Position J. Dent. Res., June 1, 2005; 84(6): 570 - 575. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T.K. Goto, K. Tokumori, Y. Nakamura, M. Yahagi, K. Yuasa, K. Okamura, and S. Kanda Volume Changes in Human Masticatory Muscles between Jaw Closing and Opening J. Dent. Res., June 1, 2002; 81(6): 428 - 432. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. EMSHOFF, I. BRANDLMAIER, S. BERTRAM, and A. RUDISCH Comparing methods for diagnosing temporomandibular joint disk displacement without reduction J Am Dent Assoc, April 1, 2002; 133(4): 442 - 451. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]