Muscle function and craniofacial morphology: a clinical study in patients with myotonic dystrophy

The occlusal traits and the craniofacial morphology were studied in patients with an altered muscle function caused by myotonic dystrophy. Twenty-four adult patients were examined and compared with a matched group of healthy individuals. The condition of the masticatory muscles was evaluated by measuring the maximal bite force. The dental arches and the occlusal traits were analysed on dental casts. Lateral cephalograms were taken in the patients with myotonic dystrophy to study the craniofacial morphology. It was found that the patients suffering from myotonic dystrophy had weak masticatory muscles, which might be caused by the disease. A high prevalence of malocclusions (postnormal occlusion, anterior open bite and lateral cross bite) was found among these patients. Their craniofacial morphology showed a vertical aberration, characterized by a large angle between the mandibular and palatal planes and a steep mandible. These findings seem to be most pronounced in patients with an early onset of the disease and support the hypothesis that reduced muscle function may cause changes in the craniofacial morphology.