Biostatistics Applied to Comparison of Jaw Movement Measurement Methods

Abstract

Temporomandibular disorders are considered the most common cause of orofacial pain of nondental origin, representing an important problem for the masticatory system. Several available equipments are able to quantify jaw motion but are used sparsely in medical practice, mainly due to its elevated cost and complexity, thus encouraging the search of alternative systems. With this purpose, a simultaneous register of computerized axiography from ARCUSdigma^® device, as a gold standard method, and two-dimensional videography were performed during specific jaw movements. A total of 32 volunteers participated (Age: 27.2 ± 6.8 - Gender: 17 F - 15 M) executing 5 repetitions of a characteristic movement: the Frontal Posselt. Three commonly assessed parameters from each reconstructed frontal Posselt diagram were obtained and compared. Limits of Agreement were applied to estimate error of measurements.