INTRODUCTION: Limitation of mouth opening is a frequent symptom in the pathologies of the temporomandibular joint. The aim of this study is to establish normative basis for this criterion in the French population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maximal mouth opening was measured by an electronic goniometric device. Measurements were taken in 228 people (110 men and 126 women) aged between 18 to 84 years, representative of the French population. RESULTS: The average mouth opening is 50.7 7 mm, but it was greater in the male population. It was also greater in tall patients and in younger patients (under 50 years). DISCUSSION: Our study is original because it is based on normal subjects and because our population sample age is the same as that of the French population. Men have a greater mouth opening than women, but this can be due to the fact that they are taller. Mouth opening is wider in young subjects, under 50, because they are younger and because they are taller. Mouth opening is wider in tall patients, whatever their sex or their age.
INTRODUCTION: Limitation of mouth opening is a frequent symptom in the pathologies of the temporomandibular joint. The aim of this study is to establish normative basis for this criterion in the French population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maximal mouth opening was measured by an electronic goniometric device. Measurements were taken in 228 people (110 men and 126 women) aged between 18 to 84 years, representative of the French population. RESULTS: The average mouth opening is 50.7 7 mm, but it was greater in the male population. It was also greater in tall patients and in younger patients (under 50 years). DISCUSSION: Our study is original because it is based on normal subjects and because our population sample age is the same as that of the French population. Men have a greater mouth opening than women, but this can be due to the fact that they are taller. Mouth opening is wider in young subjects, under 50, because they are younger and because they are taller. Mouth opening is wider in tall patients, whatever their sex or their age.