How Does Orthognathic Surgery Affect Jaw and Neck Motor Function?

In a prospective longitudinal study design, details in jaw-neck kinematics and electromyography (EMG) activity changes in patients (women and men) referred for surgical correction of basal relations between the maxilla and mandible over time; pre-operative and during follow-up 8 weeks and 18 months after surgical correction will be evaluated. The results will contribute with novel insights on jaw-neck motor function before, in short- and long-term after the surgical process. We will have blinded evaluation of outcomes.

Consecutive patients referred to department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Umeå University Hospital for corrective maxillofacial-mandibular surgery, will offer opportunity to be included in the study. Expected number of patients: 20 - 25 patients annually. Blinded evaluation will be pre-operative and during follow-up 8 weeks and 18 months after surgical correction.

Patients that will undergo orthognatic surgery will be given opportunity to participate in jaw and neck motor function analysis.

Surgical corrections of the maxilla and/or the mandible. Integrated jaw-neck movement patterns, muscle activity, bite force and occlusal contact area will be registered and mapped with quantitative objective functional variables. The state-of-the-art core equipment to evaluate jaw-neck motor function in detail is located in the Movement Lab (Department of Odontology, Umeå University).

Inclusion Criterias: Patients accepted for orthognathic surgery due to jaw discrepancies. Patients given their consent for participation Exclusion Criterias: Patients with syndromes Patients not given their consent for participation Patients unable to follow instructions due to lack of knowledge in Swedish and/or English language