Elucidation of the relationship between masticatory muscle activity and masticatory movement. Report 1. Mechanism of occlusal force generation. 2023

Katsumi Niwa, and Nobuo Takahashi
Division of Dental Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Sciences, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Saitama, Japan.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate how masticatory muscles are involved in the generation of occlusal force. The experiment was conducted by fabricating an experimental apparatus for a unilateral occlusion model with the masticatory muscles imparted. The experimental apparatus was fabricated by enlarging the lateral photograph of a dried adult skull specimen 3.5 times larger than that of a standard adult and drawing the outlines of the maxilla and mandible, canines and molars of the upper and lower jaws, and temporomandibular joint on a wooden board. The masticatory muscles used in the experiment were the masseter muscle, the temporalis muscle (anterior and posterior muscle bundles), and the lateral pterygoid muscle. For the measurement of the contractile force of the masticatory muscle, we used the spring scale. For the food, we used cut plastic cylinders. The results of the experiment revealed the following: First, the occlusal force was generated under the condition that the contraction forces of all the masticatory muscles were balanced. Second, when the occlusal force was applied to food, the occlusal planes of the upper and lower jaws were parallel. Third, the occlusal force occurred perpendicular to the occlusal plane. Fourth, the occlusal force was generated with a force greater than the contraction force of the individual masticatory muscles. And finally, even if occlusal force was applied to the food, the occlusal force did not load the temporomandibular joint. Occlusal force is not generated by the action of a single masticatory muscle but under the balanced contractile force of all masticatory muscles. The occlusal force then emerges with a force greater than the contraction force of all the masticatory muscles, and its direction occurs perpendicular to the occlusal plane.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008406 Masseter Muscle A masticatory muscle whose action is closing the jaws. Masseter Muscles,Muscle, Masseter,Muscles, Masseter
D008410 Masticatory Muscles Muscles arising in the zygomatic arch that close the jaw. Their nerve supply is masseteric from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Masticatory Muscle,Muscle, Masticatory,Muscles, Masticatory
D008437 Maxilla One of a pair of irregularly shaped bones that form the upper jaw. A maxillary bone provides tooth sockets for the superior teeth, forms part of the ORBIT, and contains the MAXILLARY SINUS. Maxillae,Maxillary Bone,Bone, Maxillary,Bones, Maxillary,Maxillary Bones,Maxillas
D011626 Pterygoid Muscles Two of the masticatory muscles: the internal, or medial, pterygoid muscle and external, or lateral, pterygoid muscle. Action of the former is closing the jaws and that of the latter is opening the jaws, protruding the mandible, and moving the mandible from side to side. Muscle, Pterygoid,Muscles, Pterygoid,Pterygoid Muscle
D001732 Bite Force The force applied by the masticatory muscles in dental occlusion. Masticatory Force,Occlusal Force,Bite Forces,Force, Bite,Force, Masticatory,Force, Occlusal,Forces, Bite,Forces, Masticatory,Forces, Occlusal,Masticatory Forces,Occlusal Forces

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