Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Feb;14(1):32-44.
doi: 10.4047/jap.2022.14.1.32. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Evaluation of median mandibular flexure values in dentulous and edentulous subjects by using an intraoral digital scanner

Merve Gülsoy  1 , Süleyman Hakan Tuna  1 , Gürel Pekkan  2
Affiliations
Free PMC article

Evaluation of median mandibular flexure values in dentulous and edentulous subjects by using an intraoral digital scanner

Merve Gülsoy et al. J Adv Prosthodont. 2022 Feb.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Purpose: Mandibular flexure is a crucial phenomenon that may affect the success of rigid bilateral mandibular prosthetic treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of median mandibular flexure (MMF) that occurs during mouth opening from anterior to posterior mandible in seven different regions, in different age and gender groups of both dentulous and edentulous subjects, using an intraoral digital scanner.

Materials and methods: In this study, the mandibular arch of 56 dentulous and 35 edentulous individuals were scanned with an intraoral scanner at both the minimum mouth opening (MnMO) and the maximum mouth opening (MxMO). MMF values were calculated by subtracting the distance value at the MxMO from the distance between the reference points at the MnMO at seven different mandibular regions of dentulous and edentulous subjects. In addition, the left and right side MMF values were measured. All data were analyzed statistically (α = .05).

Results: MMF value increased linearly from anterior to posterior mandible in both dentulous and edentulous individuals. The differences in MMF values were not statistically significant according to side (left/right), age, or gender (P > .05). No significant differences were found between the mean MMF values of the same region in both dentulous and edentulous individuals (P > .05).

Conclusion: MMF was seen in different regions of the mandibles of both edentulous and dentulous individuals measured at the MxMO. Mandibular flexure should be considered for the success and prognosis of the long-span and rigid prostheses.

Keywords: Deformation; Flexion; Lateral pterygoid muscle; Mandibular flexure; Mouth opening.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. Measurement of the distance between reference points on the digital image obtained at MnMO (A) and MxMO (B) in dentulous individuals.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. Measurement of the distance between reference points on the digital image obtained at MnMO (A) and MxMO (B) in edentulous individuals.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. Measurement of right (R) and left (L) side MMF values in dentulous and edentulous individuals. Arrows indicate the MMF values calculated at the last reference points.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. (A) Mean MMF values of dentulous individuals, (B) Mean right and left side MMF values of dentulous individuals.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5. (A) Mean MMF values of edentulous individuals, (B) Mean right and left side MMF values of edentulous individuals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Al-Sukhun J, Helenius M, Lindqvist C, Kelleway J. Biomechanics of the mandible part I: measurement of mandibular functional deformation using custom-fabricated displacement transducers. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2006;64:1015–1022. - PubMed
    1. Regli CP, Kelly EK. The phenomenon of decreased mandibular arch width in opening movements. J Prosthet Dent. 1967;17:49–53. - PubMed
    1. De Marco TJ, Paine S. Mandibular dimensional change. J Prosthet Dent. 1974;31:482–485. - PubMed
    1. Omar R, Wise MD. Mandibular flexure associated with muscle force applied in the retruded axis position. J Oral Rehabil. 1981;8:209–221. - PubMed
    1. Goodkind RJ, Heringlake CB. Mandibular flexure in opening and closing movements. J Prosthet Dent. 1973;30:134–138. - PubMed