Masticatory function in patients with mandibular prognathism before and after orthognathic surgery

Area of Science:

• Dental Science
• Orthodontics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Mandibular prognathism significantly impairs masticatory function.
• Orthognathic surgery aims to correct skeletal discrepancies and improve occlusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate masticatory efficiency and occlusal contact in patients with mandibular prognathism before and after orthognathic treatment.
• To compare masticatory function and occlusal parameters between treated patients and a control group with normal occlusion.

Main Methods:

• Masticatory efficiency was measured using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) elution spectrophotometry.
• Occlusal contact was quantified by analyzing the number and area of contacts from silicone impressions using an image analysis system.
• A cohort of 54 patients undergoing orthognathic surgery and 40 controls were studied.

Main Results:

• Preoperative masticatory efficiency and occlusal contact in prognathism patients were approximately half that of the control group.
• Postoperative improvements in masticatory efficiency and occlusal contact were not statistically significant compared to the preoperative state.
• Significant correlations were found between masticatory efficiency and the number/area of occlusal contacts.

Conclusions:

• Orthognathic surgery improves occlusal relationships but does not fully restore masticatory function in mandibular prognathism patients.
• Postoperative occlusion may require further refinement to achieve optimal functional outcomes.
• Masticatory efficiency is closely linked to the quality and extent of occlusal contacts.