2007 Volume 70 Issue 3_4 Pages 193-203
We investigated the relationship between masticatory performance, occlusal force and dentofacial morphology in 50 adults. Masticatory performance and occlusal force were evaluated using color-changeable chewing gum and pressure sensitive occlusal sheets. The measurement indices of lateral cephalograms and plaster models were used to assess dentofacial morphology.
We found that masticatory performance significantly correlated with occlusal force in both males and females. It also correlated with the angle of convexity, the A-B plane angle and the curve of Spee in females. In males, the occlusal force correlated with SNA, the angle of the mandibular plane with SN, the gonial angle and the OM angle. In females, it correlated with SNA, A'-Pt', the angle of the mandibular plane with SN, the mandibular plane angle with the FH plane, the occlusal plane angle with the FH plane, the width between the maxillary canines, the maxillary dental arch length and the curve of Spee.
These results suggest that the anteroposterior position of point A and the curve of Spee influence masticatory performance and occlusal force.
