Mandibular displacement during clenching in intercuspal position

Abstract

While the clenching level was gradually increased, dynamic stability of the intercuspal position (ICP) in 10 normal subjects and 10 patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was evaluated from occlusal contacts, deviation of the incisal point of the mandible, and bilateral anterior temporalis and masseter muscle activity. Increases in the clenching level produced changes in the location of occlusal contacts in ICP in the TMD patients. During clenching in ICP, displacement of the mandible in TMD patients was greater than in normal subjects, and the activity of the masseter muscle had greater effect on occlusal contact stability than did that of the anterior temporalis muscle.