[Movement pattern of the orofacial soft tissues during mastication].

On the basis of video tapes and the subsequent evaluation of each recording, it was determined that the orofacial soft tissue of each subject has a characteristic movement pattern. Four different basic patterns of masticatory movements were established. The average vertical movement of the lips was 7.6 mm; the width was reduced by the opening movements at the beginning of the masticatory cycle approximately 13% and only 8.5% at the end of the cycle.