[Maximal force measurements of lip and tongue pressures and their significance for the diagnosis of orofacial dyskinesias].

The functioning of the orofacial muscular system essentially determines the shape of the jaw and of the dental arch as well as the position of the axis of the anterior teeth. Disturbances of the normal functioning can cause anomalies of the position of teeth or malformations of the bone structure. With the help of the newly developed device "Myometer 160" we now have the possibility to measure the intra- and extraoral forces. We examined 107 persons aged 8 to 37 years. The maximal force was measured by ventral tongue pressure, when the lips were pressed against each other and when a brass button was pulled. In addition clinical results as well as a functional status were ascertained in order to record orofacial dyskinesias. A significant connection between the age respectively the sex of the persons and the determined force was found. However, no clear relationship between the occlusal position respectively the functional anomaly and the results of maximal force was determined. Thus it does not seem sensible to use maximal force measurement within the framework of the determined. Thus it does not seem sensible to use maximal force measurement within the framework of the diagnosis of orofacial dyskinesias.