The normal range of mouth opening in a group of Albanian population

Abstract

Background: Temporomandibular disorders involve a pool of musculoskeletal disorders expressed by pathological changes in anatomical level of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and/or abnormal activity of masticatory muscles which will directly affect the functionality of this system and will be expressed clinically as: facial pain, jaw joint pain, headaches, earaches, dizziness, masticatory musculature hypertrophy, limited mouth opening, occlusal disease, clicking sounds in TMJs. Methods: The patterns of mandibular movements (range and direction) are widely studied to assess dysfunction of the masticatory system. We measured the maximal mouth opening (MMO) in the maximal mouth opening position through a Vernier calipers, with a 0.05 mm accuracy to measure the maximal mouth opening. The study group enrolled 1,348 adults, aged 20–78 years old. Results: The average maximum mouth opening for all participants was 43.1±2.49 mm, and the mean MMO of males was 43.6±3.63 mm, and in females 40.8±1.38 mm. Conclusions: The difference in MMO between the two genders is statistically significant. At both genders the mouth opening was reduced with age.