Author(s): Sakaguchi K, Mehta NR, Abdallah EF, Forgione AG, Hirayama H, Kawasaki T, Yokoyama A. Cranio
Source: Cranio
Reference: 25(4):237-49
Publish Date: 10/01/2007 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of changing mandibular position on body posture and reciprocally, body posture on mandibular position. Forty-five (45) asymptomatic subjects (24 males and 21 females, ages 21-53 years, mean age 30.7 years) were included in this study and randomly assigned to one of two groups, based on the table of random numbers. The only difference between group I and group II was the sequence of the testing. The MatScan (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA) system was used to measure the result of changes in body posture (center of foot pressure: COP) while subjects maintained the following 5 mandibular positions: (1) rest position, (2) centric occlusion, (3) clinically midlined jaw position with the labial frena aligned, (4) a placebo wax appliance, worn around the labial surfaces of the teeth and (5) right eccentric mandibular position. The T-Scan II (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA) system was used to analyze occlusal force distribution in two postural positions, with and without a heel lift under the right foot. Total trajectory length of COP in centric occlusion was shorter than in the rest position (p < 0.05). COP area in right eccentric mandibular position was larger than in centric occlusion (p < 0.05). When subjects used a heel lift under the right foot, occlusal forces shifted to the right side compared to no heel lift (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, it was concluded that changing mandibular position affected body posture. Conversely, changing body posture affected mandibular position.
Author(s): Ceneviz C, Mehta NR, Forgione A, Sands MJ, Abdallah EF, Lobo Lobo S, Mavroudi S. Cranio
Source: Cranio
Reference: 24(4):237-44
Publish Date: 10/01/2006
This study investigated the immediate effect of changing mandibular position on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the masseter (MS), temporalis (TM), sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius (TR) muscles. Thirty-three (33) asymptomatic subjects (16 males and 17 females), ages 23 to 52 were selected. Surface EMG recordings were obtained for all muscles bilaterally with the mandible in a relaxed open position (relaxed) and during maximal voluntary clenching (fullbite) for the following: a non-repositioning appliance (NONREPOS) and repositioning appliance (REPOS). REPOS significantly reduced EMG activity of all muscles bilaterally during fullbite. During relaxation, reduction in EMG activity was only found for TR bilaterally. NONREPOS decreased the EMG activity bilaterally for TM and TR and unilaterally (left) for MS and SCM during fullbite. During relaxation, NONREPOS decreased muscle activity bilaterally for TR and SCM. A unilateral reduction was found for TM (right). These findings suggest that immediate alterations in mandibular position affect the cranio-cervical system. Both mandibular positions tested lowered the EMG activity of masticatory and cervical muscles in the relaxed and fullbite positions. The trapezius muscle was the most responsive to alterations in mandibular position.
Author(s): Abdallah EF, Mehta NR, Forgione AG, Clark RE
Source: Cranio
Reference: 22(4):268-75
Publish Date: 10/01/2004
The effect of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) on maximizing isometric deltoid strength (IDS) was measured in subjects with deep overbite. Sixteen female dental students with deep dental overbite and no history of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) were used as their own control and tested for isometric strength of the deltoid muscles, using a hand held strain gauge. Measurements were taken under four mandibular conditions: 1. habitual occlusion; 2. mandibular rest position; 3. biting on a bite elevating appliance set to the functional criterion of peak IDS; and 4. biting on a placebo appliance. Results showed that in deep bite subjects, isometric deltoid strength in habitual occlusion was significantly less than in the mandibular rest position. Isometric deltoid strength with the bite elevating appliance was significantly greater than isometric deltoid strength in habitual occlusion, as well as in the mandibular rest position. Isometric deltoid strength achieved in habitual occlusion and placebo did not differ. Results of this study support previous findings indicating that a change in the VDO will affect isometric strength of the upper extremities.
Author(s): Zawawi KH, Al-Badawi EA, Lobo SL, Melis M, Mehta NR
Source: Journal (Canadian Dental Association)
Reference: 69(11):737-41
Publish Date: 12/01/2003
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the width of 3 or 4 fingers of one hand and maximum mouth opening (MMO) in healthy subjects. METHODS: One hundred and forty dental students (age 21 to 42 years, mean 27.4 years) participated in the study. The ability of each subject to position 3 or 4 fingers, vertically aligned, between the upper and lower central incisors up to the first distal interphalangeal folds, was documented. Measurements of MMO and the width of 3 fingers (index, middle and ring fingers) and 4 fingers (index, middle, ring and little fingers) were recorded. RESULTS: All subjects were able to position 3 fingers (of both the right and left hands) between the upper and lower central incisors. Only 12 subjects were able to position 4 fingers (both right and left) in this way. There were no significant differences among the measurements of MMO (mean 48.8 mm), 3 fingers of the right hand (mean 47.3 mm) and 3 fingers of the left hand (mean 47.0 mm) (p > 0.05). However, MMO was significantly different from the width of 4 fingers of the right hand (mean 58.1 mm) and 4 fingers of the left hand (mean 57.5 mm) (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a strong positive correlation between MMO and the 3-finger measurements (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings strongly suggest that the ability to position 3 fingers in the mouth during dental examination is a convenient index for assessing normal MMO.
Author(s): Fu AS, Mehta NR, Forgione AG, Al-Badawi EA, Zawawi KH
Source: Cranio
Reference: 21(3):172-9
Publish Date: 07/01/2003
This study assessed the maxillomandibular relationship in temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients, before and after short-term, flat plane bite plate therapy. It was of interest to determine the incidence and degree of mandibular deviation in a group of TMD patients and whether the mandible would shift to the midline and consequently affect reported symptoms. Seventeen female and three male subjects (age range 19-60) were included in the study. Thirteen subjects were diagnosed with myofascial pain while seven were diagnosed as exhibiting disk displacement with reduction (Research Diagnostic Criteria). After taking impressions for these subjects, casts were fabricated and mounted. Maxillomandibular relationship was evaluated by the Denar Centric Check system (Anaheim, CA). The maxillary and mandibular labial frena were used as a reference to evaluate mandibular shift. Symptom questionnaires were used to assess temporomandibular joint pain and clicking. All subjects exhibited deviation (12 subjects to the right and 8 subjects to the left) prior to bite plate therapy. After flat plane bite plate therapy, the mandibular position of all subjects shifted toward the labial frenum midline position. Based on the Binomial test, the shift was significant (p < 0.001). Measurements on the Centric Check system showed a significant movement of both condyles in the anterio-posterior plane as well as the vertical plane. There was also significant reduction in TMJ pain and clicking (p < 0.01). The results support the hypothesis that the balanced position of the mandible is with frena aligned. When occlusal obstructions are eliminated, the mandible will drift to this position.
Author(s): Chakfa AM, Mehta NR, Forgione AG, Al-Badawi EA, Lobo SL, Zawawi KH
Source: Cranio
Reference: 20(4):264-73
Publish Date: 10/01/2002
This mixed, single-double blind study examined the effect of a stepwise increase in vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) on the isometric strength of cervical flexor and deltoid muscles in 20 asymptomatic females with deep bite (age range 20-40 years). Vertical dimension of occlusion was increased by mandibular acrylic bite plates, 2, 4, 6 and 12 mm. Subjects were instructed to bite while resisting: 1. an increasing horizontal force was applied to the forehead; and 2. an increasing vertical downward force to the wrist of each extended arm. Forces were applied by a hand-held strain gauge until resistance yielded. The force applied at the point of yielding was recorded as isometric peak strength of that trial. The peak strength for each muscle group was measured twice and averaged to produce a mean peak strength measure. This procedure was repeated in the subject’s habitual occlusion and for the four increased VDOs. Mean strength of cervical flexors with increased VDO (12.0 kg) was significantly greater than that for existing vertical dimension occlusion (9.6 kg). With the exception of pre-experimental existing VD of occlusion, strength for right and left deltoids did not differ, but mean deltoid strength in the increased condition (8.6 kg) was significantly greater than biting in without a bite plate (6.6 kg). In the peak condition, cervical flexor strength increased 24% and deltoid strength increased an average of 29% from that of biting without an increase. As VDO increased further, strength in all sites was found to diminish. Repeating the strength test without a bite plate, after all trials were administered, did not show differences from pre-experimental levels, indicating that fatigue was not an important factor. The findings demonstrate that isometric strength of the cervical flexors and deltoids increases significantly from habitual occlusion as the VDO is increased, then diminishes as VDO is increased further. The strength of both cervical flexors and deltoids varied in concert with changes of VDO.
