Objectives: To verify the influence of prominent mandibular tori on the functioning of the stomatognathic system.
Methods: The participants included 40 individuals, divided into two groups: those with mandibular tori (GI group: 20 subjects) and those without mandibular tori (GII group: 20 subjects). The authors used the Myosystem-Br1 electromyography system to analyze electromyographic (EMG) activity. For muscle thickness, images of the masseter and temporalis muscles were captured using the NanoMaxx ultrasound. The maximal molar bite force was obtained by means of the Kratos digital dynamometer.
Results: The EMG activity was higher in the masseter muscles in the GI group, compared with the GII group, in all clinical conditions assessed except for the mandibular at rest. In dynamic conditions, this higher EMG activity was also observed in the temporalis muscles. The GI group presented significantly less temporalis muscle thickness than seen in the GII group. The maximal bite force was significantly higher in the GI group.
Conclusions: Mandibular tori promoted morphological and functional changes in the stomatognathic system.
Keywords: Mandibular tori; Masticatory muscles; Stomatognathic system.