Simplified technique to measure mandibular range of motion

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Biomechanics
• Oral Health

Background:

• Accurate measurement of mandibular range of motion (MROM) is crucial for diagnosing and managing various oral conditions.
• Traditional methods for MROM assessment can be time-consuming and require specialized equipment.
• A need exists for simplified, yet valid and reliable, techniques for MROM measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and reliability of a simplified pencil-marking technique for measuring MROM.
• To compare the simplified technique with a standard mandibular kinesiograph.
• To assess inter-rater reliability among three investigators using the simplified technique.

Main Methods:

• A simplified technique involving pencil markings on a tongue blade was used to record centric relation, maximum right, left, and protrusive positions, and maximum opening.
• Measurements were taken on 10 asymptomatic dentate subjects.
• The simplified technique was compared against a mandibular kinesiograph, with each method repeated five times by three investigators.

Main Results:

• The simplified technique showed a moderate level of agreement with the mandibular kinesiograph.
• High inter-rater reliability was observed for most measured positions, with the exception of maximum left movement.
• The simplified technique proved to be a valid and reliable method for assessing MROM.

Conclusions:

• The simplified tongue blade technique is a valid and reliable method for measuring mandibular range of motion.
• This technique offers a practical alternative to more complex instrumentation.
• Further research could explore its application in diverse patient populations and clinical scenarios.