Correlation between temporomandibular disorders and the preferred chewing side as evaluated by the deep temperature of the masseter muscle

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between temporomandibular disorders and the preferred chewing side (PCS) as evaluated by the deep temperature of the masseter muscle. The subjects were 12 adults with natural dentition, four males and eight females, with a mean age of 27±8 years. We used a deep body thermometer to measure the deep temperature of the masseter muscle after ten minutes of unilateral gum chewing. The subjects were then divided into two groups based on whether they had a preferred chewing side. The occlusal contacts and the presence or absence of temporomandibular disorders were compared for each group. We found that subjects with a PCS, as evaluated by the deep temperature of the masseter muscle, were at high risk of developing temporomandibular disorders.