RESUMO
This study evaluates masticatory efficiency in orthodontic patients with craniofacial disorders compared to controls without, considering the effect of an orthodontic appliance and malocclusion. A total of 119 participants (7-21 years), divided into a craniofacial disorder and control group (n = 42 and n = 77; mean age 13.5 ± 5.2 and 14.2 ± 3.3 years) were included. Masticatory efficiency was evaluated using a standard food model test, where masticated test food bodies were analyzed, and parameters like particle number (n) and area (mm2) were recorded. This study newly introduced the masticatory efficiency index (MEI), which encompasses the above terms (number and area), with a high MEI being an indicator of high masticatory ability. Younger orthodontic patients with a craniofacial disorder had a significantly decreased MEI (0.50 ± 0.25 n/mm2) compared to patients without (1.10 ± 0.48 n/mm2; p = 0.02). The presence of a crossbite significantly decreased masticatory efficiency, particularly in craniofacial disorder patients (0.69 ± 1.44 n/mm2) versus controls (0.89 ± 1.00 n/mm2, p = 0.04). As treatment progressed with age and fixed appliances, mastication group differences became non-significant, suggesting that patients with a craniofacial disorder were catching up to healthy controls in the rehabilitation of their masticatory function. Considering an early diagnosis of malocclusion during orthodontic therapy in combination with speech therapy can avoid negative malocclusion effects with growth, caused by muscle imbalances.
RESUMO
This study evaluates the masticatory efficiency in patients with craniofacial disorders (CD) compared to controls (C). A total of 119 participants (7-21 years), divided into CD group (n = 42, mean age 13.45 ± 5.2 years) and C group (n = 77, mean age 14.3 ± 3.27 years) under an orthodontic treatment were included. Masticatory efficiency was assessed using a standard food model test. The masticated food was examined according to its number of particles (n) and area (mm2), wherein a higher number of particles alongside a smaller area was an indication of better masticatory efficiency. Additionally, the influence of cleft formation, chewing side, dentition stage, age and sex were evaluated. Patients with CD chewed the standardized food in fewer particles (nCD = 61.76 vs. nC = 84.58), with a significantly higher amount of area than the controls (ACD = 192.91 mm2 vs. AC = 146.84 mm2; p = 0.04). In conclusion, patients with CD showed a significantly decreased mastication efficiency compared to healthy patients. Factors such as stage of cleft formation, chewing side, dentition stage and age showed an influence on masticatory efficiency, whereas no gender effect on the masticatory efficiency of CD patients was found.
