Examination of the relationship between mandibular position and body posture

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of changing mandibular position on body posture and reciprocally, body posture on mandibular position. Forty-five (45) asymptomatic subjects (24 males and 21 females, ages 21-53 years, mean age 30.7 years) were included in this study and randomly assigned to one of two groups, based on the table of random numbers. The only difference between group I and group II was the sequence of the testing. The MatScan (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA) system was used to measure the result of changes in body posture (center of foot pressure: COP) while subjects maintained the following 5 mandibular positions: (1) rest position, (2) centric occlusion, (3) clinically midlined jaw position with the labial frena aligned, (4) a placebo wax appliance, worn around the labial surfaces of the teeth and (5) right eccentric mandibular position. The T-Scan II (Tekscan, Inc., South Boston, MA) system was used to analyze occlusal force distribution in two postural positions, with and without a heel lift under the right foot. Total trajectory length of COP in centric occlusion was shorter than in the rest position (p < 0.05). COP area in right eccentric mandibular position was larger than in centric occlusion (p < 0.05). When subjects used a heel lift under the right foot, occlusal forces shifted to the right side compared to no heel lift (p < 0.01). Based on these findings, it was concluded that changing mandibular position affected body posture. Conversely, changing body posture affected mandibular position.     

The influence of an experimentally-induced malocclusion on vertebral alignment in rats: a controlled pilot study

There is a growing interest in the relationship between occlusion and posture because of a greater incidence of neck and trunk pain in patients with occlusal dysfunction. The study was designed to verify whether an alteration of the spinal column alignment may be experimentally induced in rats as a consequence of altering dental occlusion and also to investigate whether the spinal column underwent any further changes when normal occlusion was then restored. Thirty rats were divided into two groups. Fifteen (15) rats (test group) wore an occlusal bite pad made of composite resin on the maxillary right first molar for a week (T1). The same rats wore a second composite bite pad for another week on the left first molar in order to rebalance dental occlusion (T2). Fifteen rats were included in an untreated control group. All the rats underwent total body radiographs at T0 (before the occlusal pad was placed), at T1 (one week after application of a resin occlusal bite pad on the maxillary left first molar) and at T2 (one week after application of a second resin occlusal bite pad on the maxillary right first molar). A scoliotic curve developed in all the test rats at T1. There were no alterations of spinal position observed in any of the control rats. Additionally, the spinal column returned to normal condition in 83% of the test rats when the balance in occlusal function was restored. The alignment of the spinal column seemed to be influenced by the dental occlusion.     

牙齿功能面磨耗与偏侧咀嚼及侧方咬合的相关性研究

目的:调查研究牙齿功能面磨耗与偏侧咀嚼及侧方咬合的关系。方法:通过问卷调查和临床检查收集数据,t检验分析牙齿功能面磨耗与偏侧咀嚼习惯、侧方咬合之间的关系。结果:在257名受试者中,有133名(52%)受试者有偏侧咀嚼习惯,其中77名(30%)为右侧咀嚼习惯,56名(22%)为左侧咀嚼习惯。偏侧咀嚼习惯与牙齿功能面磨耗相关(P<0.05),进一步分区研究显示主要是习惯侧的磨合面磨耗严重(P=0.038<0.05)。所有的受试者中,在左侧,23名(8.9%)受试者为尖牙保护牙合,213名(82.9%)受试者为组牙功能牙合,21名(8.2%)受试者无法测量;在右侧,22名(8.6%)受试者为尖牙保护牙合,217名(84.4%)受试者为组牙功能牙合,18名(7.0%)受试者无法测量。组牙功能牙合磨牙区牙齿牙合面磨耗要比尖牙保护牙合磨牙区牙齿牙合面磨耗严重(P<0.05)。结论:在偏侧咀嚼侧的牙齿功能面磨耗更严重;组牙功能合磨牙区牙齿牙合面磨耗要比尖牙保护牙合磨牙区牙齿牙合面磨耗严重。     

A working-side change to lateral tooth guidance increases lateral pterygoid muscle activity

The inferior head of lateral pterygoid (IHLP) is thought to play a critical role in the generation and control of lateral jaw movements. AIM: The aim was to test the hypothesis that a change to the lateral tooth guidance (working-side occlusal alteration, OA) results in a significant change in the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the IHLP during standardised lateral jaw movements (laterotrusion) tracked by a jaw-tracking system. METHODS: Ten trials of right laterotrusion were repeated under: control 1 (before occlusal alteration), OA (after occlusal alteration placement), and control 2 (after occlusal alteration removal) conditions in 14 subjects while recording left IHLP, bilateral anterior and posterior temporalis, masseter and submandibular muscles. RESULTS: IHLP activity was significantly (p<0.05) increased with the occlusal alteration during the outgoing (movement from intercuspal position to approximately 5mm right) and return phases of laterotrusion. The other muscles demonstrated no change or a significant decrease in activity. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a change to the occlusion on the working-side in the form of a steeper guidance necessitates an increase in IHLP activity to move the mandible down the steeper guidance. It must be emphasised that these data cannot be used as justification for occlusal therapy.     

Comparison of condylar guidance setting obtained from a wax record versus an extraoral tracing: a pilot study

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Protrusive condylar angles can be determined by use of wax protrusive records (WPR), pantographic tracings (PT), and occlusal wear facets. These methods generate different angles in the same patient. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the condylar inclination angles found by use of the WPR in a Hanau articulator with those found by use of the Whip-Mix PT quick-set recorder. The occlusal wear facet method was not part of this study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten subjects were chosen at random from a dental school patient population. All subjects had a majority of maxillary and mandibular teeth present and according to the examination criteria used in the school's Division of Occlusion, they were healthy with no signs/symptoms of temporomandibular disorders. The WPR was accepted when it was evident that the patient had protruded straight forward at least 6 mm anterior to centric relation, as shown on the Hanau articulator by the condylar spheres having moved anteriorly an equal distance of 6 mm on both sides. The condylar inclination on the articulator was adjusted accordingly. The PT was used according to the manufacturer's directions, which included the use of an intraoral clutch adapted to the mandibular arch, connected to an extraoral facebow with bilateral inscribing pointers. A holder frame was adapted to the face with bilateral flags where the inscribing pointers traced the protrusive movement of the jaw. All the readings were in degrees. No control was used in this project. To test whether there was a significant difference between the 2 independent samples, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed (P=.01). RESULTS: The mean results for the WPR were as follow: right side (28.1 degrees, SD 8.94); left side (31.50 degrees, SD 9.73). For the PT, results were: right side (41.10 degrees, SD 7.53); left side (35.5 degrees, SD 6.43). When right and left side protrusive condylar angles were combined, the values were: WPR (29.80 degrees, SD 9.25); PT (38.30 degrees, SD 6.98). The differences on the right condylar values were significant (P=.01). There was no statistical difference on the left side. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the PT technique yielded greater values for the protrusive condylar inclination than the WPR.     

Effects of experimental occlusal interference on body posture: an optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric analysis

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the relationship between dental occlusion and body posture both among people and in scientific literature. The aim of the present longitudinal study is to investigate the effects of an experimental occlusal interference on body posture by means of a force platform and an optoelectronic stereophotogrammetric analysis. An occlusal interference of a 0‐ to 2‐mm‐thick glass composite was prepared to disturb the intercuspal position while not creating interference during lateral or protrusive mandibular excursions. Frontal and sagittal kinematic parameters, dynamic gait measurements and superficial electromyographic (SEMG) activity of head and neck muscles were performed on 12 healthy subjects. Measurements were taken 10 days before the application of the occlusal interference, and then immediately before the application, the day after it, and at a distance of 7 and 14 days under four different exteroceptive conditions. The outcomes of this study show that an occlusal interference does not modify significantly over time static and dynamic parameters of body posture under different exteroceptive conditions. It has a minimal influence only on the frontal kinematic parameters related to mandibular position, and it induces a transient increase of the activity of masticatory muscles. In this study, the experimental occlusal interference did not significantly influence the body posture during a 14‐day follow‐up period.     

青年夜磨牙症患者经弹性牙合垫治疗前后咬合变化特征的研究

目的：：测量并分析夜磨牙症患者使用弹性垫治疗前后各项咬合数据变化。方法：使用弹性垫对青年夜磨牙症患者(n=10)进行治疗,并在治疗前和治疗后6个月使用T-Scan咬合检测仪进行咬合检测,观察和记录实验组闭合时间、分离时间、力中心位置、力不对称指数的变化,与对照组( n=10)进行对比和研究,并观察临床疗效。结果：治疗前实验组闭合时间及左、右侧分离时间均比对照组长(P<0.05),治疗后均无统计学差异(P>0.05);治疗前、后2组前伸分离时间差别无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗前实验组和对照组力中心位置左右向偏移和右侧力百分比及力不对称指数比较均有统计学差异(P<0.05),治疗后比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。实验组治疗后闭合时间及左、右侧分离时间均比治疗前缩短(P<0.05);实验组治疗前、后右侧力百分比值有统计学差异(P<0.05),前伸分离时间、力中心位置偏移、左侧力百分比及力不对称指数治疗前后比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论：早接触、侧方干扰、全牙列力中心的偏移等咬合因素与磨牙症有十分密切的关系。使用弹性垫治疗磨牙症,可以有效地改善上述问题,使关系更加协调和稳定。     

Bilateral supra- and infrahyoid EMG activity during eccentric jaw clenching and tooth grinding tasks in subjects with canine guidance or group function

This study compares the effect of tooth clenching and grinding on supra- and infrahyoid electromyographic (EMG) activity during different laterotrusive jaw posture tasks. The study included 30 healthy subjects with natural dentition and bilateral molar support, 15 with bilateral canine guidance and 15 with bilateral group function. Bipolar surface electrodes were located on the left and right supra- and infrahyoid muscles. EMG activity was recorded during the following tasks: A. eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to the right lateral edge-to-edge contact position; B. clenching in right edge-to-edge lateral contact position; C. concentric grinding from right lateral edge-to-edge contact position to intercuspal position. EMG activity was not significantly different between tasks on the working side, nonworking side, or between both sides, in subjects with canine guidance or group function (Wilcoxon rank-sum test). When comparing EMG activity by occlusal scheme, no significant differences were found either on the working side or the non-working side (Mann-Whitney U test). This result suggests that supra- and infrahyoid EMG activity in its predominant stabilizing role of the hyoid bone is not significantly modified by the type of laterotrusive occlusal scheme.     

The influence of crossbite on the coordinated electromyographic activity of human masticatory muscles during mastication

The analysis of the masticatory muscle activity in subjects with altered occlusal relationships could provide useful data of the functional impact of morphological discrepancies. Thirty subjects aged 16-18 years, with a sound, full permanent dentition, bilateral angle class I, and an overjet and overbite between 2 and 5 mm, were examined. The control group (10 male, 10 female) had no crossbite, while the crossbite group (four male, six female) had a posterior unilateral crossbite (five on the left side, five on the right side). The electromyographic activity of the left and right masseter and temporalis anterior muscles was recorded during 15 s of unilateral (left and right) chewing of gum, and expressed as a percentage of the maximum voluntary clench on cotton rolls. For each subject, the masticatory frequency, the confidence ellipse of the simultaneous differential left-right masseter and temporal activity (Lissajous figure), and an index of muscular symmetry, were computed to assess muscular coordination. In the crossbite subjects, the four analysed muscles appeared to contract with altered and asymmetric patterns. A large variability was found, and the confidence ellipses calculated for the chewing tests performed on the crossed sides were not significant, while the confidence ellipses of the uncrossed side chewing were different from the ellipses computed in the normal occlusion group. The altered occlusal relationship influenced the coordination of the masticatory muscles during chewing on both sides. The functional alteration was more apparent when the side with the altered morphology was directly involved, i.e. when chewing was performed on the crossbite side.     

The effect of occlusal alteration and masticatory imbalance on the cervical spine

The characteristics of mandibular lateral displacement include lateral inclination of the occlusal plane and the differences between the right and left masticatory muscles. The aims of this investigation were to compare the mandibular stress distribution and displacement of the cervical spine using three-dimensional finite element models (3D FEM) to simulate masticatory movements and to clarify the association between morphological and functional characteristics and head posture. A symmetrical standard model was produced (model-A). Model-B had higher masticatory muscle strength on the left side, model-C had symmetrical masticatory muscle strength but the occlusal plane was inclined upwards towards the right and model-D had the occlusal plane inclined upwards towards the right with higher masticatory muscle strength on the left side. Model-A showed a completely symmetrical stress distribution pattern, while in model-B there was an uneven distribution in the mandible with higher stress on the left side. In addition, the stress distribution in the cervical spine was asymmetrical, showing displacement to the right. Model-C showed a similar mandibular tendency to model-B but the opposite tendency in the cervical spine. In model-D, the mandibular stress distribution was markedly asymmetrical, but almost symmetrical in the cervical spine with markedly decreased lateral displacement. These results suggest that lateral inclination of the occlusal plane and imbalance between the right and left masticatory muscles antagonistically act on displacement of the cervical spine, i.e. the morphological and functional characteristics in patients with mandibular lateral displacement may play a compensatory role in posture control.     

6种咬合负载情况下下颌体骨折坚强内固定的三维有限元分析

目的:运用三维有限元法分析下颌骨体部骨折坚强内固定在6种咬合负载情况下的应力分布和骨折段位移,为下颌骨骨折的坚强内固定治疗提供参考。方法:利用ANSYS软件建立下颌骨体部骨折及坚强内固定的三维有限元模型,在模型上对下颌骨体部骨折在6种咬合负载情况下对上、下缘单板及双板固定3种方法的工况进行有限元分析,并以无板固定为对照,比较各种工况下骨折断层的应力、骨折段位移,评价不同内固定方法固定的效果。结果:前牙咬合、正中咬合、患侧及健侧磨牙咬合、患侧及健侧前磨牙咬合负载下,上缘单板固定时骨折段位移分别为0.03887mm、0.04195mm、0.11043mm、0.006955mm、0.175625mm和0.00696mm;下缘单板固定时骨折段位移分别为0.046215mm、0.1962278mm、0.09593mm、0.009414mm、0.158956mm和0.010594mm;双板固定时骨折段位移分别为:0.006245mm、0.020233mm、0.022952mm、0.003876mm、0.021451mm和0.005344mm;患侧磨牙、前磨牙咬合骨断层应力分布下部为张力带、上部为压力带。结论:体部骨折用单板固定存在着隐患,对下颌体部骨折应尽量采用双板或下缘单板结合单颌固定,以增加骨断端的稳定性。     

Experimental studies on adaptation of mandibular masticatory movements to given laterally shifted intercuspal position

When, the intercuspal position is newly established during reconstruction of maxillomandibular relationship, understanding the process of adaptation for the laterally shifted eccentric intercuspal position is very significant for problems involving maxillo-mandibular registration and diagnosis of occlusion, which has very important meaning for clarifying the neuromuscular control system for mandibular movement. In this studies, changes in clinical symptoms and masticatory movements were observed longitudinally when the laterally shifted intercuspal positions were newly established. Conditions for selecting four subjects were that they wore suitable overlay maxillary dentures connected to abutment teeth and that their mandibular dentition were natural and included good fixed restoration. Experimentally prepared overlay dentures were identical to those worn by subjects except that they included a structure of lateral shift of artificial dentition positioning to given newly laterally shifted intercuspal position. The condition of lateral shift of the intercuspal positions are established by the protrusion of the condyle on one side, amounts of lateral shift of the intercuspal positions were 0, 0.5, 1 and 2mm. From immediately after until a week after insertion of the experimental denture, observations were made to determine clinical symptoms and alterations in the chewing strokes on the frontal plane and in the rhythm of chewing movements. At first, the experimental denture with no lateral shift was inserted into the subject's mouth. Next, this was replaced by the experimental denture with a lateral shift of 1mm, and then this was replaced with a denture with a lateral shift of 2mm. When clinical obstruction was encountered, during this process this was replaced by one with a lateral shift of 0.5mm. Analysis of data of mandibular movement obtained was performed by means of a personal computer system. Results 1. Individual difference was observed in the process of adapting to laterally shifted intercuspal positions. One subject adapted adequately to a shift of 2mm, another to a shift of 1mm; and still another to a shift of 0.5mm. One subject failed to adapt adequately to a shift of 0.5mm. 2. When the laterally shifted intercuspal position was newly established, subject complained of a slightly high feeling in occlusion on the direction opposite to the lateral shift, occlusal sounds, and glide from the initial contact positions to the intercuspal position. All subjects, however, found it difficult to indicate the amount or direction of lateral shift; and there was no obstruction to intentional mastication under these conditions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

无牙颌种植固定修复的咬合分析

目的 探讨全口无牙颌患者应用固定种植修复后的咬合特点。方法 选取30例全口无牙颌种植固定修复患者作为试验组,30例天然牙列受试者作为对照组,使用Teetester数字化咬合分析系统分析二者在牙尖交错位、前伸颌位、侧方颌位等不同位的咬合时间及咬合力分布等特点。结果 牙尖交错位时,试验组的咬合接触时间、最大咬合力均小于对照组（P<0.05）,而最大咬合力时左右侧咬合力平衡度则相反;前伸颌位时,试验组的咬合分离时间小于对照组（P<0.05）;侧方颌位时,试验组的咬合接触时间小于对照组（P<0.05）。二者的平均咬合压力、前牙区总受力百分比、侧方颌的颌型均无统计学差异。结论 全口无牙颌种植固定修复患者牙尖交错位时的最大咬合力会降低,但与天然牙列相似的是,前伸颌位时咬合力量均集中在前牙区,侧方颌位时均以组牙功能为主。     

安氏Ⅱ^1类人群牙尖交错位的平衡与稳定性的分析

目的研究安氏Ⅱ^1类人群肌位到牙位运动过程中的动态咬合接触情况,探讨牙尖交错位的稳定性、肌位一牙位的一致性（平衡性）及其相关的牙胎形态因素。方法对60名未经过正畸治疗的安氏Ⅱ^1类受试者进行检查,采用T-ScanⅡ咬合分析系统记录并分析其肌位到牙位运动过程中的动态骀接触情况,在模型上分析牙殆形态,利用SPSS12．0对数据进行分析。结果①牙尖交错位上的骀力中心点与中线的垂直距离、左右侧殆力差值及骀接触点数目在三次重复测量中均无显著差异;②肌位牙位不调与否的两组间在上下牙弓后段宽度上存在差异;③两组间在Spee曲线深度、Spee曲线流畅性、磨牙近远中向指数等垂直向及矢状向指标上的差异没有统计学意义。结论安氏Ⅱ。类人群具有一定的牙尖交错位的稳定性;肌位牙位的一致性与牙弓后段宽度的协调性有关,而与该人群的垂直向及矢状向的牙殆形态异常无关。     

Bruxism and trauma from occlusion. An experimental model in Macaca monkeys

The present study describes an experimental approach for inducing bruxism and trauma from occlusion in animals. Gold occlusal cap splints overlaying the maxillary premolar and molar teeth were inserted in eight Macaca irus monkeys. The cap splints were designed to raise the vertical dimension of occlusion by 3--4 mm and were adjusted to a balanced occlusion with the mandible in an unstrained retruded position. The splint on the right side (test side) was given a tight occlusion with the opposing mandibular teeth, whereas the splint on the left side (reference side) had only small occlusal contact areas. Before insertion of the splints, the monkeys had slight gingivitis but no alveolar bone loss. The cap splints were in situ for 4 weeks. During this period the monkeys showed distinct signs of bruxism. The mandibular teeth on the test side showed increased mobility and there was radiographic evidence of breakdown of marginal and interradicular alveolar bone. Mean GI increased significantly on the test side and in two animals gingival abscesses developed. Deep intrabony pockets persisted adjacent to these teeth. Only slight gingival and radiographic changes were seen adjacent to the teeth on the control side. From the present experimental study there was no overall clinical or histological evidence that bruxism had caused a progression of gingivitis to destructive, chronic marginal periodontitis.     

Dental occlusion, body posture and temporomandibular disorders: where we are now and where we are heading for

The aim of this investigation was to perform a review of the literature dealing with the issue of relationships between dental occlusion, body posture and temporomandibular disorders (TMD). A search of the available literature was performed to determine what the current evidence is regarding: (i) The physiology of the dental occlusion-body posture relationship, (ii) The relationship of these two topics with TMD and (iii) The validity of the available clinical and instrumental devices (surface electromyography, kinesiography and postural platforms) to measure the dental occlusion-body posture-TMD relationship. The available posturographic techniques and devices have not consistently found any association between body posture and dental occlusion. This outcome is most likely due to the many compensation mechanisms occurring within the neuromuscular system regulating body balance. Furthermore, the literature shows that TMD are not often related to specific occlusal conditions, and they also do not have any detectable relationships with head and body posture. The use of clinical and instrumental approaches for assessing body posture is not supported by the wide majority of the literature, mainly because of wide variations in the measurable variables of posture. In conclusion, there is no evidence for the existence of a predictable relationship between occlusal and postural features, and it is clear that the presence of TMD pain is not related with the existence of measurable occluso-postural abnormalities. Therefore, the use instruments and techniques aiming to measure purported occlusal, electromyographic, kinesiographic or posturographic abnormalities cannot be justified in the evidence-based TMD practice.     

The distribution of occlusal contacts in the intercuspal position and temporomandibular disorder

The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of occlusal contacts in subjects with signs or symptoms of temporomandibular disorder (TMD), and to assess whether any difference exists with healthy subjects. Twenty-five university dental students with complete natural dentition who exhibited TMD (13 females and 12 males, age from 19 to 30 years) and 25 age- and sex-matched controls entered the study. Occlusal contacts were evaluated in the intercuspal position and wax registrations were made in all subjects. Occlusal contacts were classified according to location and intensity. No differences were found between TMD and control groups for the overall number and distribution of contacts or for any side and intensity of contact. An intra-subject analysis showed that TMD subjects had significantly greater bilateral asymmetry in the number of contacts than controls. Median absolute difference of the number of contacts on right and left sides was 3 (95% CI, 2-4) in TMD subjects and 2 (95% CI, 1-2) in controls. In TMD subjects with mono-lateral TMD there was a significant concordance (88.9%) between the side of disorder and the side of higher number of contacts. These findings, while confirming that a significant relationship exists between distribution of occlusal contacts and TMD, further suggest that in young adults it may be primarily expressed by asymmetries in occlusal contact patterns. Existence and aetiology of any association of TMD with occlusal contacts should be further investigated.     

老年人动态咬合下的接触特征的初步研究

目的：通过研究老年人多种颌位的咬合观察及前伸咬合运动中前牙的接触模式与牙弓形状的关系,探讨老年人的动态咬合下的接触特征,为临床修复重建提供理论依据。方法：本研究共86例老年患者,通过口内视诊确定牙弓形态。采用厚度为8um的Bausch咬合测试膜检查下颌各个非正中颌位的接触：侧方移动至包括下颌0.5mm、尖对尖接触位置及前伸移动至前牙切对切接触位置。结果：下颌侧方移动至0.5mm时,30.2%受试者为双侧组牙功能,20.1%为混合尖牙保护和组牙功能。下颌侧方移动至尖对尖接触位置时,45.3%的受试者为双侧尖牙保护,17.4%为双侧组牙功能。下颌向前滑动至上、下前牙切对切接触位置时,80.2%的受试者前牙存在接触,后牙分离。前牙的牙合接触模式与牙列形状的关系：71.4%方圆型牙弓受试者是I型前牙接触模式;63.9%尖圆型牙弓受试者为II型前牙接触模式;对于卵圆型牙弓受试者,前牙接触模式I型和II型均占40%。结论：老年患者具有特殊的动态接触特征。前伸咬合运动中前牙的接触模式与牙弓形状关系密切,修复重建需要考虑这种关系。     

The anterior component of occlusal force. Part 1. Measurement and distribution

The purpose of this investigation was to design and develop instrumentation to measure the anterior component of occlusal force generated by a single tooth under a known axial load. An additional objective was to quantify the distribution and dissipation of this force as it progressed anteriorly. The anterior component of the occlusal force generated by the left second molar was calculated from frictional force measurements at each contact mesial to the first molars in both dental arches. The distribution of this force and its dissipation were determined for 15 subjects. When a load was placed on the posterior teeth, the anterior component of the occlusal force was found to progress anteriorly through interproximal contacts and not to progress beyond open contacts. The mean magnitude of this force for a conservative occlusal load of 20 pounds was unexpectedly high: 5 pounds against the premolars and 1 pound against the canines. In some subjects this force crossed the dental midline and continued around the arch to the canine of the contralateral side. The distribution and dissipation of the anterior component of the occlusal force anteriorly approximated an exponential decay function.     

The influence of altered occlusal guidance on condylar displacement during submaximal clenching

As cited in literatures, canine protected occlusion has a potential to reduce clenching induced temporomandibular joint loadings. However, these previous studies did not perform a control of the clenching level which differed with the depending occlusal conditions. This result may be due largely to an associated reduced jaw closing muscle activity. The present study has investigated clenching induced condylar displacements with controlled clenching level. Twenty healthy human subjects (15 males and five females with an average age of 26.5 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Metallic occlusal overlays were fabricated for the lower working side canine and overlaid to the second molar and the non-working side second molar in order to simulate a canine protected occlusion, group function occlusion and bilateral balanced occlusion. Electromyographic (EMG) activity from the bilateral masseter, anterior temporalis, and posterior temporalis was recorded. These signals were rectified, summarized, and presented to each subject using an oscilloscope screen. Using this visual feedback, subjects were asked to perform clenching tasks at a 50% level of maximal voluntary contraction exerted with simulated group function occlusion and three-dimensional condylar displacements were recorded. An experimental occlusal pattern that shows statistically significant affects on condylar displacements (anova: P<0.001) was found. When compared with the simulated canine protected occlusion, the simulated group function occlusion caused smaller working side condylar displacement and the simulated bilateral balanced occlusion caused significantly smaller non-working side and working side condylar displacements. These results suggest that the increased working side tooth contacts have a potential to reduce working side joint loadings, and a balancing side contact has a potential to reduce non-working side joint loadings, under the laboratory condition where the clenching level is controlled.