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Published on: June 10, 2013
Orofacial sensorimotor behaviour in unilateral chewing: A comparative analysis in asymptomatic population
Roy La Touche1, Alejandro Losana-Ferrer2, Eva Pascual-Vaquerizo2
1Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Motion in Brains Research Group, Institute of Neuroscience and Sciences of the Movement (INCIMOV), Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Neurociencia y Dolor Craneofacial (INDCRAN), Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain.
Unilateral chewing (UC) is linked to distinct orofacial sensorimotor differences compared to bilateral chewing (BC). These neurophysiological changes in UC may impact jaw function and potentially predispose individuals to temporomandibular disorders (TMD).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
- Orofacial Function
Background:
- Unilateral chewing (UC) is a prevalent masticatory pattern.
- Potential sensorimotor alterations associated with UC are not fully understood.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for orofacial health and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in motor, somatosensory, and laterality recognition variables between individuals with unilateral chewing (UC) and bilateral chewing (BC).
- To identify potential neurophysiological underpinnings of UC.
- To explore implications for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function and TMD development.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 70 asymptomatic individuals.
- Participants categorized into unilateral chewing (UC) or bilateral chewing (BC) groups.
- Assessment of range of motion (ROM), electromyographic (EMG) activity, lip grip force, 2-point discrimination (2-PD), pain pressure threshold (PPT), and laterality recognition.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in masseter and temporal muscle EMG activity between groups and sides (p<.005).
- Significant group*side differences observed in lip strength and 2-PD for maxillary and mandibular branches (p<.005).
- Significant between-group differences in laterality recognition accuracy (p=.037).
Conclusions:
- Individuals with unilateral chewing (UC) exhibit unilateral sensorimotor modifications compared to bilateral chewers (BC).
- These neurophysiological changes in UC may influence orofacial biomechanics and TMJ function.
- UC-associated changes could potentially predispose individuals to the development and progression of TMD.
