The Association between Mastication, Malocclusion, and Craniofacial Morphology

Abstract

Mastication is the first step of food intake and digestion, which is a complex act that requires the participation of the whole functional stomatognathic system. Among all its components, teeth are regarded as the executor and take the main charge of mechanical food breakdown. Based on this, many researchers suspected that there is a mutual effect between malocclusion and masticatory function, and made efforts to figure out their interrelationships. Various studies have revealed that the alteration of occlusal patterns may decrease masticatory capability, and orthodontic treatment is an efficient solution. On the other hand, it is also detected by clinicians that masticatory anomalies can have a long-term impact on the formation of malocclusion and dentomaxillar deformities. But due to the complexity of stomatognathic system and the uncertainty of individual growth, this theory has not yet been sufficiently validated. Therefore, in order to define dental positions tuned to masticatory capabilities, it is necessary to understand how different associated factors including the properties of food textures, masticatory muscles, bite forces and chewing patterns affect dental positions and craniofacial growth in the long run. This review is determined to summarize the previous evidence and try to illustrate a potential rule so as to avoid postponed intervention and correction of subsequent masticatory dysfunction and malocclusion.