Masticatory function after bite-raising with light-cured orthodontic band cement in healthy adults

Masticatory performance and oral health related to quality of life before and after orthodontic treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Masticatory performance is considered an important step in the beginning of the digestive process and considering the patient's aesthetic and functional factors, it is necessary to choose appropriate treatments. Based on the evidence during orthodontic treatment, the restoration of the physiological function of masticatory performance should not be neglected. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between orthodontic treatment and improved masticatory performance and oral health related to quality of life. In the present study, all articles published till the end of August 2023 were extracted by two trained researchers independently through a search in databases like PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, ISI, Web of Knowledge, Elsevier, Wiley, and Embase, and Google Scholar search engine using keywords and their combinations. Data analysis was done using the fixed effects model in a meta-analysis, by STATA (version 17); a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Based on the results, the mean difference in masticatory performance between pre-treatment and post-treatment was 2.23 (MD: 2.23; 95CI, 2.17, 2.29. p<0.01; I2= 99.98%; p<0.01). The mean difference in oral health related to quality of life between pre-treatment and post-treatment was -32.23 (MD: -32.23; 95CI, -33.35, -31.11. p<0.01; I2= 97%; p<0.01). Orthodontic treatment had a positive effect on masticatory performance and improved the quality of life of patients after treatment.

Masticatory muscle activity and oral health-related quality of life in patients wearing clear thermoplastic versus wrap-around retainers : A randomized controlled trial

AIM

To evaluate the surface electromyography (sEMG) activity of the superficial masseter and anterior temporalis muscles at rest, during maximum voluntary clenching (MVC), and mastication, over 6 months of wearing clear thermoplastic or wrap-around retainers. Furthermore, the patients' oral health-related quality of life was assessed using the Oral Impacts on Daily Performance (OIDP) index at 6 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty patients aged 14-39 years (19 males/41 females) who received upper and lower retainers after finishing orthodontic treatment were recruited. The patients were randomly divided into a clear thermoplastic retainer group (n = 30) or a wrap-around retainer group (n = 30). The sEMG activity was recorded at retainer delivery (T0), after 3 months (T1), and after 6 months of wearing (T2). The OIDP index was evaluated at T2.

RESULTS

None of the sEMG parameters for the masseter and temporalis muscles were different between the two groups at T0, T1, or T2. Over the period of 6 months, both masticatory muscles in both groups demonstrated increased sEMG activity during MVC and mastication; however, only the temporalis muscle demonstrated decreased normalized sEMG activity at rest (P < 0.05). The frequency and severity of the OIDP in the eating aspect at T2 was low and similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

sEMG activity of the two masticatory muscles tended to increase during MVC and mastication, while temporalis muscle activity tended to decrease at rest during the observation period, regardless of retainer type. Notably, these sEMG changes did not affect the patients' subjective masticatory function.

The Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on Masticatory Performance: A Literature Review

The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the possible association between orthodontic therapy and improved masticatory function. A search strategy was conducted using the PubMed database for up to January 2020 using the keywords "mastication" and "orthodontics". Only human studies investigating mastication in orthodontics settings were selected. The search strategy resulted in 1,011 articles, out of which 57 were included in the final analysis. Investigations have generally agreed that masticatory and chewing functions improved post-orthodontic and orthognathic treatments. Studies also showed improvement in the quality of life of patients' post-orthodontic treatment. The articles examined reinforced that besides esthetic reasons, orthodontic therapy does improve the masticatory and chewing functions of individuals, ultimately enhancing their health-related quality of life.