Functional assessment of the stomatognathic system.

Clinically objective assessment of the occlusal function remains largely, even today, in the research laboratory instead of in the clinical setting, as part of the routine assessment along with the morphologic documentation. Functional outcomes of the stomatognathic system can be measured in terms of occlusal contact area, maximal voluntary bite force, maximal voluntary excursions, masticatory force, masticatory cycle pattern and masticatory performance. It should be emphasized, however, that many of these measures remain to be standardized and validated as tools relevant for assessment of patients who have dentofacial skeletal deformities. This remains a promising area of active research.