It is important to grasp the functional characteristics of open bite, because those who are open bite have problems on anterior guidance and many of them show TMJ dysfunction. However the effect of open bite on stomatognathic function has not been clarified.
The purposes of this study are to investigate 1) the characteristics of chewing patterns in subjects with open bite and 2) the relationship between each chewing pattern and the location of open bite.
14 normal subjects were selected as a control group, and 14 open bite subjects were selected and clinically classified by the location of open bite, as follows
1) anterior open bite
2) anterior and posterior open bite
Chewing movements of each subject were recorded and qualitatively analysed by Sirognathograph Analysing System II.
As a result, characteristic chewing patterns were observed in subjects with open bite, and some of which have relationships with the location of open bite.