The effect of dental occlusion on masseter muscle thickness in adolescents: an ultrasonographic evaluation.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between masseter muscle thickness and variables such as age, gender, dental occlusion, and parafunctional habits in adolescents aged 11-15 years using ultrasonographic measurements.

Methods: A total of 168 adolescents aged 11-15 years who were referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology at Van Yuzuncu Yil University for routine dental examinations participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on parafunctional habits, age, height, and weight were collected. Dental occlusion and tooth loss were documented during clinical examinations. Masseter muscle thickness was measured bilaterally at rest and during contraction using ultrasonography. Statistical analyses included Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Wilcoxon, and Mann-Whitney U tests, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: No significant differences in masseter muscle thickness were observed between genders, either at rest or during contraction (p > 0.05). Similarly, muscle thickness did not significantly differ according to dental occlusion or parafunctional habits such as mouth breathing and swallowing (p > 0.05). However, a positive correlation was found between the number of premolar and molar teeth and masseter muscle thickness on the left side during contraction (p = 0.006, r = 0.213).

Conclusion: Dental occlusion and parafunctional habits appear to have minimal impact on masseter muscle thickness in adolescents. Ultrasonography provides a reliable and non-invasive method for assessing masseter muscle thickness, supporting its utility in clinical practice.