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Abstract
The aim of this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study was to investigate the correlation between the severity of malocclusion and brain activation. The fMRI was used to measure blood-oxygenation- level-dependent (BOLD) signals of twelve healthy human subjects while they clenched in two different ways to simulate two types of malocclusion. In each malocclusion model, a custom-made splint forced the mandible to each of two retrusive positions (0.5 mm, 0.7 mm). A no-modification splint provided the control. We compared the BOLD signals measured at each clenching position with those measured during the corresponding resting conditions. The BOLD signals were significantly stronger in the amygdala and the prefrontal area (PFA) when subjects clenched in the two retrusive positions compared during clenching in the control position. In addition, the BOLD signal in the PFA increased as the simulated malocclusion became more severe. These results indicate that we may be able to objectively assess the severity of malocclusion via focus on the brain activity.
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Notes on contributors
Markus Greven
Dr. Markus Greven is a research student in the Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental College. He received his D.D.S. degree from Aachen University in 1994 and a Ph.D. from Kanagawa Dental College in 2010. His major research interest is correlation between dysfunction of the masticatory organ and brain function.
Takero Otsuka
Dr. Takero Otsuka is a special post doctoral researcher of the Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development Dentistry, Kanagawa Dental College. He received his D.D.S. from Nihon University in 2003 and his Ph.D. from Kanagawa Dental College in 2008. His major research interest is correlation between dysfunction of the masticatory organ and brain function.
Leander Zutz
Dr. Leander Zutz is a dentist and received his D.D.S. from Aachen University in 2002. His major research interest is function and dysfunction of the craniomandibular system.
Bernd Weber
Dr. Bernd Weber is a professor of the biological basis of human economic decision making at the University of Bonn, sponsored by the DFG and holds an M.D. degree. His major research interest is in neuroimaging.
Christian Elger
Dr. Christian Elger is a professor in the Department of Epileptology at the Medical University of Bonn since 1987. He graduated from the Medical School of Münster, Germany in 1976 and received his D.D.S. degree from the same university in 1978. He received a Ph.D. in physiology in 1982 and in 1985, he finished his special post doctoral education in the field of neurology. His major research interests are brain function in general, epileptological diseases and neuromarketing.
Sadao Sato
Dr. Sadao Sato is a professor and head of the Department of Craniofacial Growth and Development dentistry, Kanagawa Dental College. He received his D.D.S. degree from Kanagawa Dental College in 1971 and a Ph.D. in 1978 from the same school. Since 1992, he has been a member of the E.H. Angle Society of Orthodontists. His major research interests include function and dysfunction of the masticatory organ, the emotional role of bruxism activity, and craniofacial growth and malocclusion.