Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Rodent Model of Masseter Volumetric Muscle Loss for Studying Bioengineering Materials
Published on: May 31, 2024
Effect of treatment of dentofacial deformity on masseter muscle thickness
Luciana V V Trawitzki1, Roberto O Dantas, Francisco V Mello-Filho
1Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Monte Alegre, Ribeirão Preto, SP, CEP 14048-900 Brazil. luvoi@fmrp.usp.br
Objective:
The objective of the present study was to determine the modifications in masseter muscle thickness before and after interdisciplinary orthodontic, oromyofunctional and surgical treatment of class III dentofacial skeletal deformities (DFSD).
Design:
Fifteen patients with class III DFSD participated in the study, denoted P1 group before the interdisciplinary treatment and P2 group (same patients) 6-8 months after surgery. Fifteen individuals with no DFSD were used as the control group. Bilateral ultrasonography (US) of the masseter muscle under resting and biting conditions was performed in the three groups.
Results:
There was a significant difference (P<0.01) for all muscles tested between the control, P1 and P2 groups, with greater thickness for controls, intermediate thickness for P2, and the lowest thickness for P1 in all situations evaluated.
Conclusion:
We conclude that there was an increase in masseter muscle thickness after surgical correction of DFSD accompanied by interdisciplinary treatment, although the values were still lower than those observed in the control group.
