Masticatory muscles activity in patients with mandibular angle fractures: A literature review on which procedure to use to reverse the best masticatory muscles functionality.

INTRODUCTION

Mandible is the first or the second most fractured bone of facial skeleton. Fractures of the angle account for 23-43% of all mandibular fractures. Soft and hard tissue are affected in a traumatized mandible. Bite forces are an essential factor in masticatory muscles activity. An improved function is a result of improvement in the bite force.

AIM: The objective of this research was to conduct a systematic review of all available literature regarding the masticatory muscles' activity and bite forces in patients with mandibular angle fractures.

METHODS

PubMed, and Google Scholar databases have been searched with the following keywords: "mandibular angle fractures" AND "bite forces "OR "masticatory muscles activity".

RESULTS

This research methodology provided 402 articles. Of which 33 were selected for analysis if they were pertinent to the topic. Then only 10 results have been identified and included in this review.

CONCLUSIONS

We can conclude that bite force decreased significantly after trauma, specifically during the first month after injury, and then increases gradually over time. More randomized clinical trial studies and the incorporation of more methods such as electromyography (EMG) for measuring the electrical activity of muscles and bite force recorder could be considered in the future.