Abstract
The reproducibility of the mandibular movement in young children with a deciduous dentition was evaluated.
The subjects consisted of 4 children, with ages ranging from 3y11m to 5y3m, with normal occlusion. The mandibular movement was recorded using a mandibular movement analyzer (Saphon Visi-Trainer CII). Three parameters, the range of the vertical, lateral and the direction (angle) of the movement were assesed during gum chewing in the frontal plane. This examination was repeated on three times at intervals of one week.
The results obtained in the present study are summarized as follows;
1) Though individual differences were noticed significantly, in all parameters, some differences was recognized in each session.
2) Significant differences between right and left sides in the distance and the direction of lateral movement was noticed.
These results obtained in the present study suggested that the reproducibility of the mandibular movement in children was evident, hence, the instrument is applicable clinically, for the functional diagnosis of occlusion in young children.
