Clinical Study on the Analysis of Chewing Movements in Relation to Occlusion

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how the occlusal factor influences the chewing movement. The subjects were divided into two groups; one consisted of 10 subjects whose chewing patterns look like grinding movements, which we named “grinding type,” and another consisted of 15 subjects whose chewing patterns look like chopping movements, which we named “chopping type.” The distance of separation between the lower functional cusp tips and the upper teeth in centric occlusion and at lateral mandibular position was measured and analyzed in the two groups. In centric occlusion, the distancewas less in the chopping type than in the grinding type. On the contrary, at lateral mandibular position, the distance was less in the grinding type.

This study suggests that the chewing pattern has some relationship to occlusion, especially to the distance between the upper and the lower posterior teeth in the lateral mandibular position.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Koichi Nishio

Koichi Nishio, D.D.S.

Dr. Nishio received his D.D.S. degree from Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, Japan, in 1980. He joined the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics at Osaka University, and is now an instructor there. Dr. Nishio is a memberof several professional organizations and has written several articles about chewing movement. He has about seven years' experience with patients withstomatognathic dysfunction.

Shuhei Miyauchi

Shuhei Miyauchi, D.D.S., D.D.Sc.

Dr. Miyauchi is an associate professor in the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics at Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry. He received his D.D.S. degree from Osaka University in 1972 and his D.D.Sc. degree from Postgraduate Institution of Osaka University in 1976. His practice also involves temporomandibular joint dysfunction therapy. Dr. Miyauchi is a member of the Japan Prosthodontic Society and the International Association of Dental Research.

Takao Maruyama

Takao Maruyama, D.D.S., D.D.Sc.

Dr. Maruyama received his D.D.S. in 1964 from Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, Japan. He graduated from Postgraduate Institution of Osaka University and received his D.D.Sc. 1968.

Dr. Maruyama is now professor and chairman of the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics of Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry. He has given numerous postgraduate courses and lectures on stomatognathic function and occlusion in Japan, Europe, Asia, and the United States, and he has published about250 papers. He is a member of various professional and academic societies, including the American Equilibration Society and the International Association of Dental Research.