Relations of laterality and chewing sidedness in twins

Abstract

Preferred chewing side generally seemed to follow the side where other lateralities occur; however, monozygotic twins seemed to be more receptive to it. True-right sided were more evenly distributed than non-right sided by the preferred chewing side.

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

“…Several cross‐sectional studies have reported an association between functional or postural lateral preferences and masticatory laterality . Other cross‐sectional studies have found the side with more occluding teeth, more severe occlusal wear, higher bite force and better masticatory performance to be the side more frequently chosen for chewing .…”

“…28,39,40 Several cross-sectional studies have reported an association between functional or postural lateral preferences and masticatory laterality. 10,[19][20][21][22] Other cross-sectional studies have found the side with more occluding teeth, more severe occlusal wear, higher bite force and better masticatory performance to be the side more frequently chosen for chewing. 8,18,20,[24][25][26] However, due to the crosssectional design of these studies, they were unable to demonstrate whether an increase in masticatory performance on one side would be the result or the cause of the preference of this side for chewing.…”

“…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 .…”

“…16 Bilateral mastication may have physiological advantages including enhancement of the rate of saliva production facilitating bolus formation, enhancement of flavour release and taste appreciation, and active food reduction on the contralateral side, resulting in higher efficiency. 17,18 Several functional or postural lateral preferences have been related to masticatory laterality, 10,[19][20][21][22] though peripheral factors seem to be more closely related to the PCS. 20 The side with more occluding teeth, more severe occlusal wear, higher bite force and better masticatory performance is more frequently chosen for chewing.…”

Facial asymmetry and chewing sides in twins

“…Gender and race also affect PCS; women have been found to chew more asymmetrically compared to men, and Caucasian children to have more right-side wear than African-American children [19,25]. Among twins, the secondborn twin has PCS on the right side more frequently than the first-born twin [26]. Young children usually chew quite asymmetrically because they are incapable of moving food from one side to the other [6].…”