Masseter Muscle Thickness and Craniofacial Skeletal Patterns

Summary

Facial morphology is influenced by hard and soft tissues, including bone and muscle. While numerous factors can lead to changes in bone tissue, soft tissues such as muscle also have an important influence. It is widely acknowledged that the function, shape and thickness of masticatory muscles have substantial effects on facial morphology and skeletal development, and are correlate with other anthropometric variables. Furthermore, a correlation has been observed between masseter muscle thickness and various characteristics of the dental arches, such as alveolar process thickness and intermaxillary width.

The evaluation of soft tissue in the region of the face is a more challenging process in comparison to that of hard tissue.The recent development of cone beam computed tomography has improved the analysis of three-dimensional skeletal morphology and jaw. However, the radiographic assessment of soft tissue remains more difficult.The thickness of masticatory muscles can be measured using computerised tomography; however, this has the disadvantage of exposing the patient to radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique that can be used to assess soft tissues. However, this technique is expensive and time-consuming. Furthermore, MRI is a static rather than a dynamic imaging technique, which makes it difficult to analyse during muscle contraction and relaxation. Ultrasound is a technique that provides dynamic imaging that can assess the masticatory muscles without the use of ionising radiation.

There are many publications in the literature that indicate that malocclusions in the vertical and sagittal dimensions can be assessed with measurements from lateral cephalometric radiographs.

Conditions

• Masseter
• Ultrasonography
• Malocclusions
• Cephalometry

Interventions

OTHER

Ultrasonography

The masseter muscle thickness measurements were performed in B mode of ultrasound, midline between the zygomatic arch and mandibular plane, parallel to the mandibular plane and perpendicular to the mandibular ramus. Prior to the examination being performed in the resting position, the patient was instructed to make minimal contact between the lips without the teeth touching each other.The first USG image was recorded in this position. The patient was then requested to clench their teeth as firmly as possible, after which a second USG image was recorded from the same area. The thickness of the muscles was measured again on second recorded images. To ensure the reliability of the measurements, these procedures were repeated by the same researcher after the patients rested for five minutes.

OTHER

Lateral cephalometric radiography

Standard lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained from the patients.

OTHER

Facial photograph

Standard facial photographs were taken from a distance of 1.5 metres.

OTHER

Weigth and Heigth

The Body Mass Index is calculated by measuring with a standardised scale and height chart.

OTHER

Electronic caliper

The intermaxillary distance is measured from the cervical level of the palatal surfaces of the first permanent molars to their mesial corners using an electronic caliper.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kutahya Health Sciences University

  lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Minutes

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-03-01

Primary Completion

2024-12-10

Completion

2025-02-24

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations