Maxillofacial morphology and masseter muscle thickness in adults

The aim of this study was to investigate how the thickness of the masseter muscle relates to the maxillofacial morphology, including the thickness of alveolar process in the mandibular incisor region, and the thickness of the mandibular symphysis. The subjects consisted of 80 adult male volunteers (mean age: 23 years 8 months). The relationship between masseter muscle thickness and the maxillofacial skeleton was investigated by measuring the former by ultrasonography and the latter by roentgenographic cephalometry. The data were initially analysed using a multiple regression analysis. Thereafter, correlation coefficients were obtained by a simple regression analysis. The following results were found: 1. The thickness of the masseter muscle (mean +/- SD) was 15.8 +/- 3.0 mm in the relaxed state and 16.7 +/- 2.7 mm at maximal clenching. 2. Masseter muscle thickness was negatively correlated with the mandibular plane angle. 3. Masseter muscle thickness was positively correlated with the mandibular ramus height (Cd-Go), and the thickness of the alveolar process and that of the mandibular symphysis. It is therefore suggested that masticatory function influences the morphology of the mandible.