ABSTRACT:
Purpose:
to analyze masticatory function within different facial types through clinical and electromyographic evaluation of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles.
Methods:
sixty-five children aged six to 12 years old, males and females, who met the study criteria, were selected. The clinical evaluation of mastication was performed based on the MBGR protocol, as well as the electromiography of masseter and anterior temporalis muscles, on the right and left side in directed continued mastication. The data were analyzed considering the significance level of 5%.
Results:
in the clinical evaluation of mastication, no significant differences between the three facial types studied were observed, except for a tendency to significance in unexpected muscle contractions, with the highest occurrence observed in dolichofacials (66.67%), followed by mesofacials (46.67%) e brachyfacials (26.83%). Through electromyographic evaluation, no significant differences between the three groups studied were observed. Comparing the muscles within each facial type, a higher electrical activity of the right masseter muscle over the right temporal, and a higher electrical activity of the left temporal muscle over the right temporal muscle (p=0.049) was verified.
Conclusion:
the results of clinical and electromyographic evaluations of mastication did not differ within the facial types, suggesting that the pattern of facial growth itself is not a determinant in the modifications of the masticatory function and these modifications might be related to other variations not taken into account in this study.
Keywords:
Face; Cephalometry; Stomatognathic System; Mastication; Electromyography
