Spinal disorders and mastication: The potential relationship between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and alterations of the chewing patterns |
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| Authors: | Maria Grazia Piancino Alessandro Tortarolo Francesco Macdonald Umberto Garagiola Ludovica Nucci Marco Brayda-Bruno |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Orthodontics, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dental School C.I.R., University of Turin, Turin, Italy;2. Orthopedic Surgical Institute Maria Adelaide, Turin, Italy;3. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy;4. Department of Surgical Sciences and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy;5. Spine Surgery III Scoliosis Department, IRCCS Orthopedic Institute Galeazzi, Milan, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Objective To evaluate mastication in a group of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with a control group, by means of the prevalence of reverse chewing cycles (RCCs). Material and Methods This study included a group of patients (N = 32; F = 24; M = 8; mean age ± SD = 14 ± 3 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of AIS and a group of control subjects (N = 32; F = 24; M = 8; mean age ± SD = 13 ± 6 years) without spinal disorders. Mastication was recorded with both a hard and a soft bolus, following a standardized protocol, and the prevalence of RCCs was compared between the groups. Results The prevalence of RCCs was significantly higher in the AIS group, with both a soft and a hard bolus, compared to the control group (P < .001). Conclusion The results of this study indicate that the presence of AIS influences mastication, one of the main functions of the stomatognathic system. A multidisciplinary approach to these patients may be relevant in providing the best possible treatment outcomes. |
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| Keywords: | adolescent idiopathic scoliosis chewing cycles malocclusion mastication spinal disorders |
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