Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stomatognathic function in children with the jaw movement data in 6 degrees of freedom. Seventeen healthy subjects with normal occlusion were divided into two age groups: the early mixed dentition group(2 boys,5 girls), and the permanent dentition group(2 men,8 women). Border jaw movements and excursions were measured with 2 devices for tracking 6 degrees of freedom jaw movement. The jaw movement of the children was examined using the diagnostic parameters of the stomatognathic function in comparison with adults.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. The longest distance of the condylar path was significantly smaller in children than in adults. The distance of the condylar path in the most protrusive occlusal position was significantly larger in children than in adults. The distance of the working condylar path in the most lateral occlusal position was significantly larger in children than in adults.
2. The sagittal angle of the incisal path during protrusive excursion was significantly smaller in children than in adults. The sagittal and frontal angle of the incisal path during lataral excursion was significantly smaller in children than in adults.
3. Other diagnostic parameters did not show any significant difference between children and adults.
These results suggest that during protrusive and lateral excursion the condylar movement has high mobility in children and jaw movement of the whole mandible is more horizontal in children than in adults.
