Occlusion, mastication and the temporomandibular joint

The value and importance of mastication and biting forces in helping to promote digestion of food is well known. Being edentulous does for most people lead to restriction of diet with its ill effects and lack of enjoyment of food. The provision of dentures is also a functional necessity in relation to a healthy , temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In practice, we find that in many patients, the TMJ adapts itself to a fair amount of varied postures, especially in those who have been without dentures for a period of years. However, changes or deviations from the normal movements of the TMJ introduce risks to its well being. Some years ago, I carried out practical experiments and observations on a number of middle aged Maltese, with a view to establish a relationship between gape and opening force. Although I did come to some conclusions, these studies are not easy because of TMJ morphology. In _ contrast to near linear changes in muscle 'length associated with movements at simple hinge joints, mouth opening in us humans, involves some rotation and translation of the condyle.