Tooth contact patterns in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction.
The occlusal tooth contact patterns in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction and normal subjects were studied under a range of conditions using a newly devised radiotelemetry system. The patterns in the patient group were completely different from those in the control group. During rest or work, the patients showed higher values for total number and time of tooth contacts, as well as several contacts of extended duration. Moreover, many of the tooth contacts during swallowing were plural contacts in the patient group. These results suggest that patients with temporomandibular dysfunction exhibit increased tonus of jaw-closing muscles, which is probably due to occlusal disharmonies and psychological stress.
Yamashita
S
S
First Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
Ai
M
M
Mizutani
H
H
D000328:Adult; D003679:Deglutition; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009991:Oscillometry; D010474:Percussion; D012146:Rest; D013686:Telemetry / Q000379:methods; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014070:Tooth / Q000473:pathology*; D014937:Work