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Longitudinal observation of basic mandibular movements: report of a case
H Hayasaki1, A Okamoto, S Nakata
1Section of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Japan. hayasaki@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp
The Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
|August 20, 2003
Summary
Childhood mandibular movements evolve from simple translation to complex rotation as permanent teeth emerge. This study tracked a boy
Area of Science:
- Pediatric dentistry
- Craniofacial development
- Biomechanics of mastication
Background:
- Establishing healthy adult mandibular function relies on proper childhood development.
- Understanding the longitudinal changes in children's jaw movements is crucial for identifying developmental trajectories.
- Optoelectronic analysis provides precise, non-invasive measurement of mandibular kinematics.
Observation:
- Longitudinal optoelectronic recordings captured mandibular movements in a single male subject from age 6.5 to 14.5 years.
- Incisor pathways during protrusion and lateral excursion showed increasing inferior and rotational components with age.
- Hinge-like rotation during mouth closing significantly increased after the eruption of permanent second molars.
Findings:
- Mandibular movements transition from predominantly translational in younger children to more complex rotational patterns.
- The development of rotational mandibular movements correlates with the establishment of the permanent dentition.
- Changes in incisor pathway geometry reflect underlying alterations in jaw mechanics during growth.
Implications:
- These findings highlight critical developmental stages in mandibular function that may influence long-term oral health.
- Understanding these kinematic shifts can inform early diagnosis of potential functional disturbances.
- The study provides a basis for further research into the biomechanical factors governing craniofacial growth and masticatory efficiency.