title: Diagnostic tests used in determining the role of the occlusion in temporomandibular joint disorders.
abstract: Two diagnostic tests, positive tenderness to palpation of the inferior bellies of the lateral pterygoid muscles and a positive stress test, are helpful in determining whether the dental occlusion is a principal etiologic factor in ischemic pain in the muscles of mastication. To avoid a noxious occlusal contact, the muscles of mastication, and particularly the lateral pterygoid muscles, must increase their activity. The ability of the patient to supply the oxygen for this activity is variable. When it is inadequate, to relieve ischemic pain the muscular activity must be decreased or the oxygen supply increased. The dentist has the option of using four modalities for the treatment of these painful muscles: physiotherapy, drug therapy, psychotherapy, and occlusal therapy. When the lateral pterygoid muscles are not tender to palpation and the stress test is negative, occlusal therapy is not indicated.
authors.affiliation: Daytona Beach, Fla.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D003769:Dental Occlusion, Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000379:methods; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D008409:Mastication; D010173:Palpation / Q000379:methods; D011434:Proprioception; D011626:Pterygoid Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy