title: Biomechanical modeling of open locks of the human temporomandibular joint.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with hypermobility of the temporomandibular joint may have problems closing their mouth after opening widely. In the worst case, the mandibular condyles become trapped in front of the articular eminences and the jaw muscles cannot reposition them into the fossae (open lock). The difference in ease of closing the jaw between patients and non-patients is presently not well understood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wide opening and subsequent jaw closing were simulated with a biomechanical model in a forward dynamics approach. The effect of anterior slope angle and orientation of jaw-closing muscles on condylar travel was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mandibular condyles traveled anterior of the eminences and back into the fossae uneventfully with backwardly oriented jaw closers and eminences with a gentle anterior slope. However, combinations of relatively forward oriented jaw closers and a steep anterior slope caused the condyles to continue traveling anteriorly upon jaw-closing attempts, ending in an open lock position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that for the masticatory system to reach an open lock, various unfavorable combinations of jaw-closer orientation and anterior slope angle exist within normal physiological ranges. These findings could be relevant for maxillofacial surgeons, both for the diagnostic process and for clinical decisions, regarding patients suffering from open locks.
authors.affiliation: Department Functional Anatomy, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, The Netherlands. m.tuijt@acta.nl
authors.forename: Matthijs
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tuijt
authors.forename: Jan Harm
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Koolstra
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lobbezoo
authors.forename: Machiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naeije
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D007568:Jaw / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009068:Movement; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012307:Risk Factors; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*