Absence of association between a preferred chewing side and its area of functional occlusal contact in the human dentition

Relationship between chewing side preference and handedness and lateral asymmetry of peripheral factors

“…10,11 Peripheral factors such as side differences in occlusal contact area and in bite force showed a positive and significant correlation with masticatory laterality. The fact that only few asymmetrical parameters were correlated with masticatory laterality and the lack of agreement observed in other studies on whether central or peripheral factors influence the preferred chewing side 3,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] means that a complex interplay of factors affects the selection of chewing side preference. Most subjects preferred to chew on the right side, hence chewing side preference might be affected by central regulation, although handedness or lateral difference in finger-thumb grip force were not significantly related to masticatory laterality in the present study.…”

“…3,12 However, there is no agreement on whether peripheral factors such as occlusion, 3,[13][14][15][16] the most efficient side for chewing 17,18 or temporomandibular disorders (TMD) 3,[19][20][21][22] influence the preferred chewing side. Other factors that have been related with preferred chewing side are bilateral asymmetry in bite force at submaximal clenching level, 14 the ability to move the jaw laterally 23,24 and facial asymmetry.…”

“…19 Several types of test food have been used to determine chewing side preference. Chewing gum was used in most studies, 2,4,7,9,10,13,14,25 although carrots, 3,16 almonds 18 and other foods have also been used. 11,26,27 It is known that the size, texture and hardness of the bolus affects muscle activity and the chewing cycle.…”

“…There is no agreement on whether central regulation or peripheral factors influence the preferred chewing side, or what such peripheral factors may be. 3,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] The discrepancies in the literature can be explained by differences in the study population, in the methods for determining the preferred chewing side and in the type of test food used. Most studies were performed with young adults with natural dentition, 2,9,11,26 others studies were carried out with children, 7 teenagers 21 or elderly people.…”

Articular Eminence Inclination in Medieval and Contemporary Croatian Population

“…Th e diff erences observed could probably be caused by the predominant masticatory usage of one jaw side, and a consequently diff erent distribution of the biomechanical loading in the right and left temporomandibular joints. During mastication, transportation of food from one side to the other is necessary, but the one side preference is a well-known and relatively consistent phenomenon 4,28 . Th e diff erence observed in AEI between medieval (45.5˚) and recent (61.99˚) specimens was statistically signifi cant.…”