Peripheral, functional and postural asymmetries related to the preferred chewing side in adults with natural dentition

Abstract

Summary The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to determine the preferred chewing side and whether chewing side preference is related to peripheral, functional or postural lateral preferences. One hundred and forty‐six adults with natural dentition performed three masticatory assays, each consisting of five trials of chewing three pieces of silicon placed into a latex bag for 20 cycles, either freestyle or unilaterally on the right‐ or left‐hand side. Occlusal contact area in the intercuspal position, maximum bite force, masticatory performance and cycle duration were measured and the lateral asymmetry of these variables was calculated. Laterality tests were performed to determine handedness, footedness, earedness and eyedness as functional preferences, and hand‐clasping, arm‐folding and leg‐crossing as postural lateral preferences. The preferred chewing side was determined using three different methods: assessment of the first chewing cycle for each trial, calculation of the asymmetry index from all cycles and application of a visual analogue scale. Bivariate relationship and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Among unilateral chewers, 77% of them preferred the right side for chewing. The factors most closely related to the preferred chewing side were asymmetry of bite force, asymmetry of masticatory performance and earedness, which explained up to 16% of the variance. Although several functional or postural lateral preferences seem to be related to the preferred chewing side, peripheral factors such as asymmetry of bite force and of masticatory performance are the most closely related to the preferred chewing side in adults with natural dentition.

Changes in masticatory laterality 3 months after treatment with unilateral implant‐supported fixed partial prosthesis

“…Earedness was determined by observing which ear was used to listen through a hole. Eyedness was assessed by observing which eye was used to look into a dark bottle . Hand‐clasping, arm‐folding and leg‐crossing were determined by observing which thumb, arm or leg was positioned uppermost when the participants clasped their hands, folded their arms or crossed their legs, respectively .…”

“…Eyedness was assessed by observing which eye was used to look into a dark bottle . Hand‐clasping, arm‐folding and leg‐crossing were determined by observing which thumb, arm or leg was positioned uppermost when the participants clasped their hands, folded their arms or crossed their legs, respectively . Unilateral maximum bite force was measured at baseline using a bite force transducer (Gnathodynamometer, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain) in the region of the second premolars.…”

“…Unilateral maximum bite force was measured at baseline using a bite force transducer (Gnathodynamometer, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain) in the region of the second premolars. This was recorded three times, changing the order of each test each time, and the highest value for each side was selected …”

“…Several functional or postural lateral preferences have been related to masticatory laterality, though peripheral factors seem to be more closely related to the PCS . The side with more occluding teeth, more severe occlusal wear, higher bite force and better masticatory performance is more frequently chosen for chewing .…”

Evaluation of Complications Following Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Extraction in Patients with Different Hand Preference

“…The authors of another study emphasized that facial asymmetry was less pronounced in left-handed individuals compared to right-handed individuals (40). Research is also being conducted on whether this asymmetry has an effect on chewing strength and whether there is a right or left chewing side preference in individuals with different hand preferences (41).…”