Vol. 3, Issue 11, Part A (2017)

Abstract
Mandible flexes upon rotational movement due to contraction of lateral pterygoid muscles bilaterally. This clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effect of mouth opening upon the mandibular arch width. Thirty male fully dentate students were selected for the study. The inter-molar and inter-canine width was measured with digital caliper at the occlusion and the maximum opening position. The mandibular arch width change was calculated in molar and bicuspid region and proposed as mandibular flexure. Mean of the mandibular arch width change in molar and canine regions was. The data was analysed by F- test. It was concluded that mandibular arch width in both the anterior and posterior regions is more at maximum intercuspation (MI) than at maximum mouth opening.