Systematic Standardized and Individualized Assessment of Masticatory Cycles Using Electromagnetic 3D Articulography and Computer Scripts

Abstract

Masticatory movements are studied for decades in odontology; a better understanding of them could improve dental treatments. The aim of this study was to describe an innovative, accurate, and systematic method of analyzing masticatory cycles, generating comparable quantitative data. The masticatory cycles of 5 volunteers (Class I, 19 ± 1.7 years) without articular or dental occlusion problems were evaluated using 3D electromagnetic articulography supported by MATLAB software. The method allows the trajectory morphology of the set of chewing cycles to be analyzed from different views and angles. It was also possible to individualize the trajectory of each cycle providing accurate quantitative data, such as number of cycles, cycle areas in frontal view, and the ratio between each cycle area and the frontal mandibular border movement area. There was a moderate negative correlation (−0.61) between the area and the number of cycles: the greater the cycle area, the smaller the number of repetitions. Finally it was possible to evaluate the area of the cycles through time, which did not reveal a standardized behavior. The proposed method provided reproducible, intelligible, and accurate quantitative and graphical data, suggesting that it is promising and may be applied in different clinical situations and treatments.

Synchronization of surface electromyography and 3D electromagnetic articulography applied to study the biomechanics of the mandible: proof of concept.

“…Our recording method is a novelty in the scienti c literature, and has the advantage of the high accuracy of the movement-recording method demonstrated in previous articles from our research group [22][23][24]. In addition, this synchronization was performed using only the components that already accompany both equipment selected, a fact that besides facilitating its realization and replication, does not add costs to its realization.…”

“…The induced current is analyzed to calculate the spatial position of the sensors [19]. Fuentes et al employed the AG501 articulograph to assess cinematic characteristics of masticatory cycles in healthy participants with normal occlusion tracking the position of an EMA sensor placed in the interincisal midline of the mandible [22][23][24]. Hoke et al employed the Wave articulograph to analyze the micro-movement of dental prosthesis during mastication [25].…”

“…Hoke et al employed the Wave articulograph to analyze the micro-movement of dental prosthesis during mastication [25]. Compared with other methods employed to track MM, EMA systems allow more natural movements because it does not restrict the movement of body including the head, and it also achieves high spatial precision (up to 0.3 mm) and temporal precision (sample frequency of up to 1KHz) [22][23]26].…”

Characteristics of Mandibular Movement and Mastication in Older Adults with Removable Dental Prostheses: Three-Dimensional Analysis

“…Thus, three-dimensional (3D) electromagnetic articulography (EMA) has been positioned as a useful tool for the thorough study of these movements, as it is characterized as having a minimum range of error and being comfortable for the participants (Fuentes et al, 2015(Fuentes et al, , 2017a. Recently, 3D EMA was used to describe border and masticatory movements in young participants with normal occlusion, providing quantitative data regarding the area where the movements occur, their trajectory and the speed of the mandible (Fuentes et al, 2017b). These data allow us to delve more deeply into the classic description of MM in the literature, leading to a new and better understanding of chewing patterns.…”

Change in the Dominant Side of Chewing as a Serious Factor for Adjusting the Prophylaxis Strategy for Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prosthesis of Bounded Lateral Defects

“…26 Various electrophysiological and video-fixing techniques have been proposed for the dynamic study of the chewing function. [27][28][29] The restoration of occlusal surfaces, by definition, is accompanied by the restructuring of the chewing link of the dentition. In general, addiction to dentures can take from several weeks to 3 to 4 months; afterward, a stable type of chewing is usually formed, and the situation in the oral cavity stabilizes, usually no less than for 3 to 5 years.…”