Relation between Buccal Mucosa Ridging and Viscoelasticity of Lip Mucosa

Objectives: The aim of this study was to clarify relation between the buccal mucosa ridging as an indicator of non-sleep bruxism and viscoelasticity of lower lip mucosa.

Methods: Nineteen non-sleep bruxist (11 males, 8 females; mean age 24.3 ± 1.6 years) were selected by non-sleep bruxism criteria in 44 healthy dentulous with complete natural dentition. Moreover, assesment of buccal mucosa ridging was performed by 2 dentists, and the subjects were divided into 2 groups: one group was included 8 subjects (4 males, 4 females) with buccal mucosa ridging, and another group was included 11 subjects (7 males, 4 females) without buccal mucosa ridging.

Measurements of viscoelasticity were performed with a suction viscoelastic meter (Cutometer M580, Courage + Khazaka) at central part of lower lip mucosa in place of buccal mucosa. Probe was vertically placed to lower lip turned over with hand. For the measurements, mucosa was sucked by 300 hPa for 2 seconds and released for 2 seconds by that probe. Four viscoelastic parameters (distensibility, remaining deformation, elasticity and retraction) were recorded. The mean value of　four viscoelasticity parameters were compared between groups by Student's t-test.

Result: The remaining deformation and elasticity showed significant differences between groups (p=0.023 and p=0.012 respectively). The group with buccal mucosa ridging showed higher remaining deformation and lower elasticity than the group without buccal mucosa ridging. The distensibility and retraction showed no significant differences between the groups.

Conclusion: The buccal mucosa ridging as an indicator of non-sleep bruxism was related to viscoelasticity of lower lip mucosa.