Characteristics of masticatory mandibular movements and velocity in growing individuals and young adults.

Studies of the development of mastication in the normal growing individual have received little attention in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in oral motor function occurred during growth. Ninety healthy individuals with normal occlusion were divided into six groups of males and females, 9-10, 13-15, and 20-22 years of age. Oral motor function, with respect to mandibular displacement and velocity, was monitored with an opto-electronic method. The results revealed that the total duration of the masticatory cycle was not influenced by age or gender. However, the time distribution between the different phases was found to be influenced by the age factor, causing a longer opening time and a shorter closing time in the adults. In mastication, both mandibular displacement and the mandibular velocity in closing were less in females. A reduction of the masticatory opening velocity and an increase in closing velocity were observed with increasing age. Physiological maturation of the masticatory system due to central and peripheral changes and functional adjustments due to changes in dentition and skeletal growth may be the underlying reasons for our findings.