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Chapter 4.3 Open versus Closed
Mandibular Functional Impairment Questionnaire
The MFIQ11 is a validated and reliable instrument that measures a patient’s subjective perception of the mandibular function. The instrument consists of 17 items, all of which are scored from 0 to 4 on a Likert scale by the patient (total- item score: 0 to 68; ‘0’ = good functional outcome and ‘68’ = poor functional outcome).
Mixing Ability Test
The MAT and the method of analysis have been described elsewhere.13 This test measures how well a patient can mix a two coloured wax tablet by chewing on it for 15 strokes. The spread of the colour intensity values is used as a measure of mixing; the Mixing Ability Index (MAI). A lower MAI score represents a better mixed tablet, and thus a better masticatory performance.
CBCT Analysis
The condylar volumes were analysed using the validated method introduced by Xi et al.10,14 A graphical user interface was built around the algorithm in C++. The DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) dataset was imported in the software and segmentation of the condyle was performed in the axial direction. A virtual 3D hard-tissue model of the DICOM dataset was made using Maxilim software (v. 2.3.0, Medicim NV, Mechelen, Belgium). A hard-tissue reconstruction of the segmentation was generated to augment the condylar reconstruction of the DICOM set. A plane parallel to the Frankfurt plane through the most caudal point of the sigmoid notch (C-point) was used as a cut-plane for measurement of the condylar volume.10 The pre-treatment and post-treatment condylar regions were superimposed using an iterative closest point approach.15
STATISTICS
The non-continuous data were described by numbers and percentages, and the continuous data by the mean (and standard deviation). The normality of the condylar volumes was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The independent t-test was used to assess if there was a significant difference in volume between the two treatment modalities.
