Frontal-plane lateral border movements and chewing cycle characteristics.

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomechanics
• Kinesiology

Background:

• The dental contact section of the chewing cycle is critical for food trituration.
• Understanding chewing cycle mechanics is essential for assessing oral function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine closing phase dental contact distance and lateral path inclination in healthy subjects.
• To investigate the relationship between these variables and Ahlgren chewing cycle types.

Main Methods:

• Kinesiography was used to characterize the chewing cycle in 63 healthy subjects.
• Dental contact distance, lateral path inclination, and Ahlgren chewing cycle type were recorded during chewing gum mastication.

Main Results:

• 84% of subjects exhibited normal chewing cycles (Ahlgren types I-IV).
• Mean dental contact distance was 0.9 mm (right) and 1.2 mm (left); mean lateral path inclination was 35° (right) and 37° (left).
• A significant positive correlation was found between closing phase dental contact distance and lateral path inclination.

Conclusions:

• Normal chewing cycles are typically bilateral, while abnormal cycles are not.
• Chewing cycle type does not consistently influence border movement distance between 'chopping' and 'grinding' motions.
• Dental contact distance and lateral path inclination are positively correlated, impacting chewing efficiency.