Controllability of the temporomandibular joint loading by musculation: an analysis using a two-dimensional static model incorporating a spring model of the articular disk

Masticatory and bite forces are known to generate tremendous amount of compressive forces in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This force is referred to as “TMJ loading”, which is believed to be controlled, to a certain extent, by stomatognathic means in normal conditions. Through computational analysis employing a static rigid-body model incorporating a spring model of the articular disk, both the magnitude and distribution range of TMJ loading could be minimized by pointing the resultant loading vector to the intermediate zone of the disk, primarily by adjusting the forces of the masseter and temporalis muscles