Measurement of Pressure in Orthognathic Surgery using Pressurex®
Fernando Duarte, João Neves Silva, Carina Ramos, Colin Hopper
Purpose: Despite its importance, the measurement of pressure in orthognathic surgery often receives little attention. Pressurex® (SPL – Sensor Products LLC, USA) is one of a few pressure indicating sensor films that reveals pressure distribution and magnitude between any two contacting, mating or impacting surfaces, and is currently viewed as a golden standard for that purpose. This study was designed to apply other alternative and innovative methods of measuring muscle area, volume, structure, function and fibre orientation to a situation where adaptation of muscle is pivotal to the success of a therapeutic approach. Materials and Methods: Ten patients attending the combined orthodontic/orthognathic surgery clinic at the Clitrofa – Centro Médico, Dentário e Cirúrgico, in Trofa - Portugal were tested according to the following protocol: The pressure sensor film system was placed between the upper and lower dental arch, and the subjects were instructed to bite as forcefully as possible for about 3 seconds. The values were registered (T0) and the procedure was repeated after 10 minutes (T1), and after 1 month after surgery (T2). The occlusal pressure was measured by two different observers. The results have been measured by two different observers and the results analysis were performed using the Magics® RP software. These 10 patients were scheduled for a bimaxillary osteotomy involving a combination of maxillary Le Fort I impaction procedure coupled with a sagittal split advancement of the mandible.
Conclusions: Significant statistical differences in the mean bite pressure (psi) have been detected between pre-op (Times 0 and 1) and post-op (Time 2) periods for the film pressure areas Q2/P2, Q3/P3 and Q4/P4, irrespective of the Examiner (C or F) (p < 0,05). Interestingly, these differences in the mean bite pressure (psi) at different times are concentrated in the anterior and mid region of the maxilla/ mandible, whereas in the posterior region of the maxilla/ mandible (Q1/P1 and Q5/P5), no significant statistical differences have been detected throughout time (p > 0,05).