Interferential effect of the over-erupted third molar on chewing movement

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Biomechanics
• Oral Health

Background:

• Over-eruption of mandibular third molars is a common dental issue.
• This condition may potentially affect masticatory function and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of over-erupted mandibular third molars on chewing movement patterns.
• To differentiate the effects of molar over-eruption versus TMD symptoms on mastication.

Main Methods:

• Selected 18 patients with unilateral mandibular over-erupted third molars and TMD symptoms.
• Recorded chewing traces using electrognathography to analyze the average chewing pattern (ACP).
• Compared ACP parameters between the over-erupted and non-over-erupted sides, considering TMD symptomatic side effects.

Main Results:

• Over-eruption significantly affected chewing pattern parameters, including medial amplitude, lateral amplitude, and the cross zero point (P<0.05).
• Chewing on the over-erupted side resulted in shorter medial amplitude, larger lateral amplitude, and a smaller cross zero point value.
• The symptomatic side did not show a significant effect on the analyzed chewing pattern parameters (P>0.05).

Conclusions:

• Over-erupted mandibular third molars demonstrably alter chewing movement patterns.
• The impact of temporomandibular disorder symptoms on chewing dynamics appears limited compared to molar over-eruption.