Controllability of temporomandibular-joint loading by coordinative activities of masticatory muscles-a two-dimensional static model analysis

Masticatory and bite-forces, when applied to the teeth, generate tremendous compressive force in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Normally, it is controlled, to a certain extent, by stomatognathic means. In an attempt to clarify this control mechanism, the authors analyzed the relationship between TMJ loading and the activities of the masticatory muscles, by employing a static two-dimensional jaw-model. Static equilibrium analyses determined that TMJ loading can be minimized by coordinating the activities of the muscles, under controlled bite conditions, by pointing the loading vector in a direction solely indicated