Journal of Dental Research, Vol 70, 1367-1370, Copyright © 1991 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Characteristics of masticatory mandibular movements and velocity in growing individuals and young adults
S. Kiliaridis, S. Karlsson and H. Kjellberg
Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Goteborg, Sweden.
Studies of the development of mastication in the normal growing individual
have received little attention in the literature. The aim of this study was
to determine whether changes in oral motor function occurred during growth.
Ninety healthy individuals with normal occlusion were divided into six
groups of males and females, 9-10, 13-15, and 20-22 years of age. Oral
motor function, with respect to mandibular displacement and velocity, was
monitored with an opto-electronic method. The results revealed that the
total duration of the masticatory cycle was not influenced by age or
gender. However, the time distribution between the different phases was
found to be influenced by the age factor, causing a longer opening time and
a shorter closing time in the adults. In mastication, both mandibular
displacement and the mandibular velocity in closing were less in females. A
reduction of the masticatory opening velocity and an increase in closing
velocity were observed with increasing age. Physiological maturation of the
masticatory system due to central and peripheral changes and functional
adjustments due to changes in dentition and skeletal growth may be the
underlying reasons for our findings.
