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Abstract
This study was designed to find a method of assessing maximum mouth opening (MMO), using a tool that is proportional to the body size. One hundred two (102) children were selected to participate in the study. MMO, the width of three fingers (index, middle and ring fingers), four fingers (index, middle, ring and little fingers), body height, weight and age of each child were recorded, and the ability of each subject to position the fingers, vertically aligned between the upper and lower central incisors with the mouth maximally open, was documented. All subjects were able to position three fingers between the upper and lower central incisors, while only 37 (36.3%) were able to position four fingers. MMO was significantly different from the width of three and four fingers and was positively correlated with both weight and height and with age. Height, weight, and age showed a moderate to strong correlation with all finger measurements; no gender significant difference was observed for MMO. The findings of this study suggest that the ability to position three fingers between the upper and lower incisors with the mouth wide open can be considered a simple method to quickly evaluate MMO, but that it is not highly reliable.
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Notes on contributors
Youssef S. Abou-Atme
Dr. Youssef S. Abou-Atme received his D.D.S. from the University of Saint Joseph in Beirut (Lebanon) in 1994. After finishing a residency in craniomandibular disorders from the University of Nantes (France) in 1996, he joined the Craniofacial Pain Center at Tufts University, where he completed a fellowship in TMD and orofacial pain in 1998, and a masters degree in oral biology. Dr. Abou-Atme worked in Lebanon as a TMD and Orofacial Pain specialist and as a pain researcher, at the University of Saint Joseph from 2000 to 2005. Currently, he is practicing in the city of Rabigh (Saudi Arabia).
Nada Chedid
Dr. Nada Chedid received her D.D.S. from the University of Saint Joseph in Beirut (Lebanon) in 1988. She joined the Pediatric Department at Boston University where she completed a Certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) in Pediatric Dentistry in 1990, and a master of science in dentistry in 1992. Dr. Chedid is currently Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Saint Joseph in Beirut (Lebanon).
Marcello Melis
Dr. Marcello Melis received his degree in pharmacy from the University of Cagliari (Italy) in 1990, and his D.M.D. from the same university in 1998. He was a resident in the Gelb Orofacial Pain Center at Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts from 1998 to 2000, when he completed the Fellowship Program in temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain. Currently, he practices in Cagliari in the field of temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain, and is an adjunct clinical instructor in the Craniomandibular Pain Center at Tufts University. He has been involved in several international research activities focusing on temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain.
Khalid H. Zawawi
Dr. Khalid H. Zawawi received his B.D.S. degree from de’Montmorency College of Dentistry (Pakistan) and his D.Sc. in oral biology and a certificate in orthodontics from Boston University. He completed the fellowship in TMD and orofacial pain at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Zawawi has been on the staff of the Faculty of Dentistry at King Abdulaziz University since 1993. He served as a research associate at the Craniofacial Pain Center at Tufts University. Currently, he is a clinical instructor in orthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).