FUNCTIONAL-EVALUATION AFTER TMJ SURGERY

Oral function was evaluated in 30 patients (25 women and five men) aft er TMJ surgery by means of bite force measurements. Twenty-seven disce ctomies and three condylectomies had been performed. The follow-up per iod was, on average, 2.5 years. The mean bite force values on the func tion level 'biting as when chewing' was for the whole group 125.3 N on the right side and 128.8 N on the left side. The maximal bite force w as on average 362.5 N and maximal endurance time on average 32 s. All test results showed big ranges. No significant differences between rig ht and left side or operated and nonoperated side could be found on th e tested function level 'biting as when chewing'. The found bite force values were high in comparison with another similar study. The result s were also compared with another group of patients (n = 6) who were e xamined before and 6 months after surgery. As far as bite force reflec ts oral function the results are indeed very encouraging.