Effects of rehabilitation with complete dentures on bite force and electromyography of jaw and neck muscles and the correlation with occlusal vertical dimension

Impact of buccal fat pad removal on electrical activity of masseter, temporal, and buccinator muscles, anxiety, aesthetic satisfaction, and quality of life

PURPOSE

To evaluate the electromyographic activity of the masseter, temporal, and buccinator muscles, as well as anxiety levels, aesthetic satisfaction, and quality of life following bichectomy.

METHODS

Nine patients were included. Electromyography of the masseter, anterior temporal, and buccinator muscles was performed, along with assessment of the number of masticatory cycles and mastication time until swallowing. Anxiety levels (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), the impact of surgery on quality of life (Glasgow Benefit Inventory - GBI), and patient aesthetic satisfaction were evaluated using questionnaires. Assessments were conducted before surgery (T0), 60 days after surgery (T1), and 120 days after surgery (T2). A 2-way repeated measures ANOVA was used and when the analyzed data were not considered normal, the Friedman test was used (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The activity of the masseter and buccinator muscles increased significantly after 30 days (T1) and 120 days (T2) after bichectomy compared to T0. The number of chewing cycles and time until swallowing and anxiety did not change significantly over time. Aesthetic satisfaction increased significantly after 30 days.

CONCLUSION

Removing the main body of the Bichat ball increased the electrical activity of the masseter and buccinator muscles during chewing of the tested foods. The participants' anxiety level over time was considered clinically acceptable. Buccal fat pad removal did not influence the number of chewing cycles and chewing time until swallowing. Aesthetic satisfaction increased 60 days after bichectomy. After 120 days of buccal fat pad removal, there was an improvement in the quality of life of the individuals.

A novel formula for estimating the vertical dimension of occlusion using panoramic radiography

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to develop a new formula to easily estimate the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) by using the distance between the mental foramen on a panoramic radiograph.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 508 dentulous subjects were selected from outpatient dental clinics at the College of Dental Medicine, Al-Azhar University. The vertical dimension of the occlusion was measured using a single calibrated calliper. For each subject, a digital panoramic radiograph was taken with fixed exposure parameters. The intermental foramina distance (IMFD) was measured. The data were collected and then analysed using the IBM SPSS version 20.0 software package. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.). Linear regression was used to determine the relationship between the intermental foramina distance (IMFD) and the vertical dimension at occlusion (VDO).

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that there was a strong correlation between the intermental foramina distance (IMFD) and the VDO. Thus, a novel formula was developed for determining the VDO using panoramic radiography.

CONCLUSION

The novel formula developed herein facilitated the determination of the VDO among prosthetic rehabilitation for subjects who lost vertical dimension due to loss of posterior teeth or severe wear of natural posterior teeth. Further studies are needed to determine the clinical applicability of the derived formulae for edentulous subjects.