Incisal Paths During Habitual Mouth Opening and Closing Movements of Children with Anterior Reverse Bite in the Early Mixed Dentition

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the pathways of habitual mouth opening and closing in children with anterior reverse bite in the early mixed dentition differed from those of children with normal occlusion. The two subject groups for this study were composed of ten children with anterior reverse bite (reverse bite group) and twelve children with normal occlusion (normal occlusion group), respectively. These movements were measured by an optoelectronic analyzing system with six degrees of freedom. Movements of the incisal point were projected on the sagittal plane to characterize the paths, and sagittal angles between the incisal path and the horizontal plane were calculated and compared. Opening and closing sagittal angles in the reverse bite group were almost equal over the entire pathway, indicating that the pathways of habitual mouth opening and closing were similar. In contrast, all opening and closing sagittal angles in the normal occlusion group were different, especially close to maximum intercuspation, indicating that their pathway of habitual mouth opening differed from their mouth closing pathway. In conclusion, children with anterior reverse bite in the early mixed dentition have different patterns of habitual mouth opening and closing movements than children with normal occlusion.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kyoko Satoh

Dr. Kyoko Satoh received her DDS degree in 1998 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Kyushu University. She fulfilled her internship at the Kyushu University Hospital for one year. She then entered the Section of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Kyushu University Graduate School of Dental Science in 1999. She received her Ph.D. degree in 2003 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. She completed a clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship in the Faculty of Dentistry at Kyushu University. Her research interest is mandibular movements in children with anterior reverse bite.

Youichi Yamasaki

Dr. Youichi Yamasaki received his D.D.S. degree in 1983 and a Ph.D. degree in 1989 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. He worked as an assistant professor in the pediatric dental clinic at Kyushu University Dental Hospital. He has been a professor and chairman of Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences since February 2003. Dr. Yamasaki is studying the relationship between stomatognathic function and the effects of early treatment for malocclusion in children with primary, mixed dentition.

Haruaki Hayasaki

Dr. Haruaki Hayasaki received his D.D.S. degree in 1987 and a Ph.D. degree in 1992 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Kyushu University. He received a certification in pedodontics from the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry in 1992. He attended Baylor College of Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics (Dallas, TX) as a visiting researcher from 1997 to 1999. He received the Award for Young Scientist from the Japanese Society of Stomatognathic Function in 2000. He is an assistant professor in the pediatric dental clinic at Kyushu University Dental Hospital.

Megumi Nishi

Dr. Megumi Nishi received her D.D.S. degree in 1992 from the Faculty of Dentistry at Kyushu University. After working at the Kyushu University Hospital for five years, she joined the Section of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Kyushu University Graduate School of Dental Science in 1997. She received her Ph.D. degree in 2001 from the same university. Dr. Nishi received a certification in pedodontics from the Japanese Society of Pediatric Dentistry that same year. From 2001 to 2002, she was a research associate in the Section of Pediatric Dentistry, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Kyushu University, Faculty of Dental Science.

Minoru Nakata

Dr. Minoru Nakata is Professor Emeritus of Kyushu University and Advisory Professor of Tongji University. He received his D.D.S. degree from Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Dentistry in 1964 and a Ph.D. degree in 1968. He was awarded the NIH Forgaty International Fellowship, USA and studied medical genetics at Indiana University School of Medicine (1971-1973). His book, “Occulsal Guidance in Growing Children” was originally published in Japanese and has now been translated into English and four other languages. He is a member of the Cranio-Facial Group of IADR and serves as an expert on the Advisory Committee of WHO. He has also served as a consultant, member and vice-chairman of FDI (1979-1999).