EFFECTS OF REDUCED MOUTH OPENING CAPACITY (TRISMUS) ON PULMONARY-FUNCTION

In the present study pulmonary function test data were obtained from 1 5 healthy volunteers and 15 patients with slightly impaired ventilatio n during both normal and maximally reduced opening of the mouth(trismu s, intercuspid position). The aim of the study was to examine the effe cts of complete trismus on pulmonary function using objective and subj ective parameters. In maximally reduced mouth opening, both groups sho wed an impairment of all subjective and objective pulmonary function t est data. In healthy volunteers, the significant changes in the test d ata (p < 0.05) simulated mild to moderate pulmonary impairment, wherea s patients with an already impaired pulmonary function showed a marked deterioration of their initial respiratory condition. The results of the subjective and objective parameters examined indicate that an inte rcuspid position (trismus) further aggravates pulmonary functional imp airments. Complete trismus can be considered a risk factor to pulmonar y function in patients using mouth-breathing as primary or supportive mode of respiration.