Mouth Opening at Molar Regions: Clinical Assessment of the Accessibility in the Posterior Dental Area – A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: To measure maximum mouth opening at first and second molar and central incisor region, and to evaluate the influence of age and gender on these measurements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Maximum voluntary mouth opening was measured in millimeters at first molar, second molar, and central incisor region. Gender and year of birth were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed for the total sample as well as separately by gender and age group. Significance level was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: 100 patients (56 males, 44 females) with mean age of 57.0 ± 16.2 years (range 22 - 85) were examined. The mean maximum mouth opening was 35.1 ± 4.9 mm at the first molar region, 29.2 ± 4.7 mm at the second molar region and 51.0 ± 6.7 mm at the incisal region. Male participants demonstrated significantly greater mouth opening values compared to female participants at all the study regions (p