MANDIBULAR

MOVEMENTS

CONTENTS

Introduction
Anatomy of TMJ
Muscles of Mastication
Neurologic structures & neuromuscular
functions
Border movements of Mandibular
Eccentric Mandibular Movements
Major Functions of Masticatory System
Methods Used For Recording Mandibular
Movements
Clinical Significance of Mandibular Movements
Conclusion
References

INTRODUCTION
The masticatory system is a complex and highly
refined unit.
It is the functional unit of the body primarily
responsible for chewing speaking and swallowing.
The system is made of bone,joints,
ligaments,teeth and muscles. and movement is
regulated by intricate neurological control system
During performance of various functions there is
a delicate balance between various components.
Precise movement of the mandible is required to
move the teeth efficiently across each other
during function

ANATOMY OF TMJ
TMJ is one of the most complex joints in
the body.
It is called as GINGLYMOARTRODIAL JOINT.
TMJ consists of 4 main structures: Condyle
Temporal bone (Squamous part)
Articular disc
Ligaments

CONDYLE
It is the portion of the mandible that
articulates with the cranium, around which
movement occurs.

TEMPORAL BONE
The mandibular condyles articulates at the base of the
cranium with the squamous portion of the temporal bone.
This portion made up of Concave Mandibular Fossa called as
ARTICULAR OR GLENOID FOSSA.
SQUAMOTYMPANIC FISSURE Posterior to mandibular fossa.

Anterior to fossa convex bony prominence called ARTICULAR

EMINENCE.

TMJ consist of
Upper articular
disc
surface
Formed of

Articular eminence
Anterior part of
mandibular fossa

lower articular

interarticular

surface
Formed of

head of the mandible

(condyle)

TMJ is classified as a COMPOUND JOINT.

Functionally articular disc serves as a non ossified bone.

 ARTICULAR DISC
Composed of dense fibrous connective tissue, most part of it is
devoid of blood vessels and nerves fibers.
Extreme periphery of the disc is slightly innervated.
In SAGITTAL PLANE it is divide into 3 regions (according to thickness).
ANTERIOR ZONE

POSTERIOR ZONE

INTERMIDIATE ZONE

Posterior border is slightly

the disc
thicker than anterior border

SAGITTAL PLANE

ANTERIOR(FRONTAL)
PLANE

thinnest area of

Attachment of Articular
Disc:-

Articular disc is attached to the capsular ligament..

It divides the joint cavity into- SUPERIOR

INFERIOR JOINT CAVITY

TMJ is referred to as SYNOVIAL JOINT

LIGAMENTS:Muscles move and ligaments limit.

Ligaments do not enter actively into joint
function, rather they act as passive
restraining devices to limit & restrict border
movements.
3 functional ligaments support the TMJ are: Collateral ligament
Capsular ligament
Temporomandibular ligament
2 accessory ligaments are: Sphenomandibular ligament
Stylomandibular ligament

COLLATERAL(DISCAL) LIGAMENTS:They attach the medial & lateral borders of

articular disc to the poles of the condyle.
Commonly called as DISCAL LIGAMENTS.
2 TYPES:

Medial discal ligament

Lateral discal ligament

They are true ligaments

Function :

CAPSULAR LIGAMENT: Entire TMJ is surrounded & encompassed by

the capsular ligament.
Attachment : Superiorly
Inferiorly

Function :It resists any medial, lateral or inferior forces

that tend to separate or dislocate the
articular surfaces.

TEMPOROMANDIBULAR LIGAMENT: Lateral aspect of the capsular ligament is

reinforced by strong, tight fibers that make up the
lateral or temporomandibular ligament.
The TM ligament is composed of :Outer oblique portion
horizontal portion

Inner

FUNCTION

1)

2)

OUTER OBLIQUE
PORTION:
They resist
extensive dropping
of he condyle..
It also influences
the normal opening
movement.

INNER HORIZONTAL
PORTION
1) Limits posterior
movement of
condyle
2) It also protects
lateral pterygoid
muscle from
overlengthening or
extension

ACCESSORY LIGAMENTS

Sphenomandibular Ligament

Stylomandibular Ligament

Function:
1) Taut - when mandible is protruded
2) Most relaxed when mandible is opened.
So, limits excessive protrusive movement of
mandible.
3) Shares in activity of the medial pterygoid muscle

MUSCLES OF MASTICATION
The skeletal muscles provide for the locomotion necessary for the
individual to survive.

PRIMARY MUSCLES OF MASTICATION

Masseter
Temporalis
Medial Pterygoid
Lateral Pterygoid

SECONDARY MUSCLES OF MASTICATION

The suprahyoid group of muscles being used as secondary or
supplementary muscles they are
Digastric
Mylohyoid
Geniohyoid

MASSETER: Quadrilateral muscle

and consist of three
layers.
Origin:
Superficial layer:
Middle layer:
Deep layer
Insertion:
Superficial layer
Middle and deep
fibers pass vertically
downward.

Function
Masseter contracts
ELEVATES the
mandible in the
direction of the
fibers

Deep segment pulls

mandible RETRUED
relation
Some fibers from inner
part of the muscle are
inserted horizontally
into the capsule and
meniscus of
mandibular joint

MEDIAL PTERYGOID
It is a thick quadrilateral muscle
Origin
Insertion

FUNCTION OF MEDIAL PTERIGOID

MUSCLE
1. Along with masseter it forms a MUSCULAR
SLING that supports the mandible at
mandibular angle.
2. When fibers contract the mandible is
ELEVATED.
3. Muscle is active in PROTRUDING the
mandible.
4. Unilateral contraction will bring about
mediotrusive movement of the mandible.

TEMPORALIS
It is a large, fan
shaped muscle.
Origin
Insertion

 It can be divided into 3 distinct portions

ANTERIOR
PORTION

consists of fibers
that are directed
almost vertically
above

MIDDLE
PORTION

fibers run obliquely

across the lateral
aspect of the skull
(forward-downwards)

when it contracts
mandible is raised
vertically
(elevates)
slightly

when it contracts
mandible is elevated
and retruded

POSTERIOR PORTION

fibers are aligned

almost horizontally
coming forward
the ear
it contracts and
retrudes mandible
{Du Brul-suggested
that its contraction
elevates and
retrudes

ELEVATION OF MANDIBLE

POSTERIOR FIBER DRAWS

MANDIBLE BACKWARDS

 Because angulation of the

muscle fibers varies the
temporalis is capable of
coordinating closing
movements
Hence it is a significant
positioning muscle of the
mandible

LATERAL PTERYGOID
2 different portions or bellies: Inferior
Superior

Function
Superior Lateral Pterygoid: During opening the
lateral pterygoid
inactive, becomes

superior
remains
active only

in conjunction

with elevator muscles.

It is active during power
& when teeth are
together.

Inferior Lateral Pterygoid:-

held

Closing
Retracting
Lateral movement in
ipsilateral direction

stroke

When right & left ILP contracts

simultaneously,
the
condyles are pulled down
the articular eminences &
the mandible is
protruded.
Unilateral contraction creates
a mediotrusive movement of
the condyle & causes a lateral
movement of the mandible to
the opposite side.

opening
protracting
Lateral movement in
contralateral direction

SIDE TO SIDE GRINDING

MOVEMENT

When lateral pterygoid

contracts with medial
pterygoid of same side,
the condyle advances
on that side ,while the
jaw rotates through the
opposite condyle

when the medial and

lateral pterygoid of the
two sides contract
alternatively to produce
side to side movements
of mandible eg chewing

Medial and lateral pterygoid act

together to protrude the mandible

DIGASTRICS: Not considered a muscle of mastication, but it

does have an important influence on the function
of the mandible.
Divided into 2 portions: Posterior belly
Anterior belly

 Function: When right & left digastrics

contract & the suprahyoid &
infrahyoid muscles fix the
hyoid bone, the
mandible is
depressed & pulled backward &
the teeth are brought out of contact.
When mandible is stabilized,
the digastric muscles with the
suprahyoid & infrahyoid
muscles
elevate the
hyoid bone, which
is necessary function for swallowing.

The combinded efforts of the

Digastrics and Lateral Pterygoids
provide for natural jaw opening.

 Other acessory
muscles:
Surahyoid
Infrahyoid
muscle
Sternocleidom
astoid
Posterior
cervical
muscles

 Woelfel J.B., Hickey J.C., Stacy R.W. & Rinear L.

(1960) conducted a study on electromyographic
analysis of jaw movements. The objective of the
study were1)To determine the range of variability of muscular
activity in jaw movements.
2)To determine the range of variability in a series of
electromyograms.
3)To provide an analysis of the role played by the
external
pterygoid muscles in trained (learned) jaw
movements.

They concluded that:-

1) The temporal muscle is capable of unilateral and

fractional
response but does not show increased activity in any
part during
protrusion or uncontrolled openings.
2)The right and left digastric muscles did not function
individually. Their greatest activity was during
uncontrolled openings and retrusion of the mandible.
3)The masseter muscle had the greatest activity during
clenching
into centric occlusion.
4)The external pterygoid muscle was very active during
contra lateral excursions, uncontrolled openings, and
protrusion
but was inactive during hinge openings of

NEUROLOGIC STRUCTURE &

NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION

Function of masticatory system is complex. A highly

refined neurologic control system regulates &
coordinates the activities of entire masticatory
system
The basic component of neuromuscular system is
the MOTOR UNIT (which consist of number of
muscle fibers that are innervated by motor neuron)
MUSCLE FUNCTION:ISOTONIC CONTRACTION: contraction or an overall
shortening.
ISOMETRIC CONTRACTION: contraction without
shortening
CONTROLLED RELAXATION : stimulation of motor
unit is discontinued, fibers of motor unit relax and
return to normal length. thus a precise muscle
lengthening can occur that allows slow and
deliberate movement

NEUROLOGIC STRUCTURES: The masticatory system

consists of following receptors
to monitor the status of its
components:1) MUSCLE SPINDLE Skeletal muscle consists of two types
of muscle fibers
a) Extrafusal fibers (contractile)
b)
Intrafusal
fibers
(minutely
contractile)

 A bundle of intrafusal fibers bound by a

connective tissue sheath is called
muscle spindle.
Within each spindle the nuclei of the
intrafusal fibers are arranged in 2
distinct fashions:1) Chainlike(nuclear chain type)
2) Clumped (nuclear bag type)

There are two types of afferent nerves

that supply the intrafusal fibers. They
are:
1)Primary endings or annulospiral endings
2) Secondary endings or flower spray endings

Efferent supply of intrafusal fibers is by

fusimotor nerve fibers ( efferent).

 When muscle is stretched:

Intrafusal & extrafusal fibers are stretched
Annulospiral & flower spray endings are activated
Afferent neurons carry information to trigeminal
mesencephalic nucleus
The CNS then sends back impulse via 2 efferent pathways: Fusimotor nerve fibers or

efferent motor neurons

gamma efferent

(for extrafusal fibers)

(for intrafusal fibers)
Muscle contraction

2) GOLGI TENDON ORGANS Located in muscle tendon between muscle fibers and their
attachment to bone.
They are more sensitive than muscle spindles and active in
reflex regulation in normal function.
They primarily monitor tension, whereas the muscle spindles
primarily monitor muscle length.

3) PACINIAN CORPUSCLES The pacinian corpuscles are large oval organs made up of
concentric lamellae of connective tissue. They are widely
distributed.
They serve principally for the perception of the movements
and firm pressure.
These corpuscles are found in the
tendons,joints,periosteum,tendinous insertions ,fascia and
sub cutaneous tissue.

4) NOCICEPTORS They are sensory receptors that are

stimulated by injury & transmit injury
information to CNS by way of afferent
nerve fibers.
The primary function is to monitor the
condition,position and movement of the
tissue in the masticatory system.

REFLEX ACTION:

2 general reflex actions are important in the

masticatory system :
1) MYOTACTIC REFLEX or stretch reflex Is the only monosynaptic jaw reflex.
Sudden stretching of skeletal muscle

Afferent nerve activity from the spindle

Trigeminal mesencephalic nucleus

Afferent fiber synapse in trigeminal motor nucleus with

- efferent motor neurons

Efferent fibers carry information to extrafusal fibers

 Myotactic reflex is an important

determinant of rest position of the
jaw.
It is a principal determinant of
muscle tonus in elevator muscles.

2)

NOCICEPTIVE REFLEX or flexor reflex Polysynaptic reflex to noxious stimuli & hence, considered to be
protective.
Sudden biting on hard object

Noxious stimuli

Afferent nerves carry impulse to trigeminal spinal tract nucleus where

they synapse with interneurons

Excitatory interneuron's
inhibitory interneuron's
Synapse with efferent neurons
in the trigeminal motor nucleus
nucleus
they innervte the jaw depressing
muscles
Muscles
Message sent is to contract, that
Brings the teeth away

Synapse with efferent neurons

in the trigeminal motor

they innervate the elevator

message sent is to discontinue

contraction

INFLUENCE OF HIGHER CENTERS:Although the cortex is the main determinant of

action,the brainstem is in charge of maintaining
homeostasis and controlling normally
subconscious functions.
Within brainstem, is a pool of neurons that
control rhythmic muscle activity such as
breathing, walking & chewing.
This pool of neurons is called Central Pattern
Generator (CPG)
It is responsible for precise timing of activity
between antagonistic muscles so that specific
functions can be carried out.

CLASSIFICATION:I) According to Sharry:a) According to direction Opening and closing

movements
Protrusion and retraction
Lateral gliding movements
b) According to tooth contact Movements with tooth contact
Movements without tooth contact
c) Limitation by joint structure Intra border movements

Border movements

d) Functions of masticatory system - Mastication

Deglutition
Speech
Respiration
e) CNS - Innate movements breathing & swallowing
Learned movements speech and chewing

II) According to the type of movement

occurs in TMJ:a) Rotational

b) Translation
III) According to the planes of border
movements:a) Sagittal plane border movement
b) Horizontal plane border movements
c) Frontal plane border movements

MANDIBULAR
MOVEMENTS
Mandibular movements occurs as complex
series of 3 dimensional rotational and
transitional activities. It is determined by
combined and simultaneous activities of
both tmjs.
2 types of movement occur in tmj: Rotational
Translational

ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT:Rotational movement of the

mandible occurs in 3 different
reference planes
1. Horizontal
2. Frontal
3. Sagittal

HORIZONTAL AXIS OF ROTATION: An opening and closing

motion- hinge movement
Only pure rotational
movement in mandibular
activity
TERMINAL HINGE AXIS
When the condyles are in
their
most
superior
position in the articular
fossae and the mouth is
purely rotated open, the
axis
around
which
movement occurs is called
the Terminal Hinge Axis.

FRONTAL (VERTICAL) AXIS

OF ROTATION: Mandibular movement
around the frontal axis
occurs
when
one
condyle
moves
anteriorly
out
of
terminal hinge position
with the vertical axis of
opposite
condyle
remaining
in
the
terminal hinge position.

SAGITTAL AXIS OF ROTATION:-

TRANSLATIONAL
MOVEMENT: Translation can be defined as
a movement in which every
point of the moving object
has simultaneously the same
velocity and direction.
It occurs within the superior
cavity of the joint, between
the superior surface of the
articular disc and the inferior
surface of the articular fossa.
During normal movements of
the mandible both rotation
and
translation
occur
simultaneously.
This results in a very
complex movements.

SINGLE-PLANE BORDER
MOVEMENTS: Mandibular movements are limited by
ligaments and articular surface of TMJs as
well as the morphology and alignment of
the teeth.
When the mandible moves through the
outer range of motion, reproducible and
describable limits result, which are called
BORDER MOVEMENTS.

SAGITTAL PLANE BORDER &

FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS:-

They have 4 distinct movement components:1)Posterior opening border

&
TMJs.
2) Anterior opening border
3) Superior contact border
teeth.
4) Functional
conditional responses

determined by ligaments
the morphology of

determined by occlusal &

incisal surfaces of
determined by

Posterior Opening Border

Movements: Occurs as two stage hinging
movements.
1st stage:-

 2nd Stage: As the condyle

translates the axis of
rotation of the
mandible shifts into
the bodies of rami
likely to be the area
of attachment of
sphenomandibular
ligament, resulting in
the second stage of
the posterior opening
border movement.

Anterior Opening Border Movements: With the mandible maximally opened, closure
accompanied by contraction of inferior lateral
pterygoids
(which keep the condyles
positioned anteriorly) will generate the
anterior border movement.

 Because the maximum protrusive position is

determined in part by stylomandibular
ligaments, when closure occurs, tightening of
ligaments produces a posterior movement of
the condyles.
The posterior movement of the condyle from
the maximally open position to maximally
protruded position produces eccentricity in
the anterior border movement. Therefore, it
is not a pure hinge movement.

Superior Contact Border

Movements: This movement is determined bythe characteristics
of occluding surfaces of the teeth.through out the
movement tooth contact is present.
It depends on: Amount of variation between centric relation
and maximum intercuspation.
The steepness of the cuspal inclines of the
posterior teeth.
Amount of vertical and horizontal overlap of
anterior teeth
Lingual morphology of maxillary anterior teeth.
General interarch relationships of the teeth.

 In CENTRIC RELATION
-tooth contacts are normally found on
one or more opposing pair of
posterior teeth.
-When muscular force is applied to the
mandible,
a super anterior movement or
or shift
will occur until the
intercuspal position is
reached.
-The slide from CR to maximum
intercuspation, may have a lateral
component.
-from early 1950s to more recently the
distance between MI and centric
relation has changed from 1.25 mm
by Posselt,1.0mm by Schuyler, 0.8
to 0.5mm by Ramfjord,to 0.2mm by
Dawson and Ramfjord

 When the mandible is protruded,

from maximum
intercuspation .

This continues until the

maxillary and
mandibular
anterior teeth are in edge
to edge
relationship, at which
a horizontal pathway is
followed. Horizontal movement
continues
until incisal edges
of mandibular teeth pass
beyond the edges of maxillary teeth.

Functional Movements: Functional movement occurs during

functional activity of the mandible. They
usually take place within the border
movements & therefore, considered as
free movements.
Most functional movements require
maximum intercuspation & therefore
typically begin at & below the intercuspal
position.

 When mandible is at rest, it is

found to be located
approximately 2 to 4mm below
the intercuspal position. This is
called the Clinical Rest Position.

Postural position Since,

clinical
rest position is not a
true resting
position, the
position in which
mandible
is maintained is
termed as
postural position.

 Chewing Stroke:- If it is examined in sagittal

plane, the movement will be seen to begin at the
intercuspal position & drop downward & slightly
forward to position of desired opening. It then
returns in a straighter pathway, slightly posterior
to the opening movement.

POSTURAL EFFECT ON FUNCTIONAL

MOVEMENT:

1.
2.

Head in erect and upright position

Head is directed 45 upward (as assumed during
drinking)
Head is directed 30 (as assumed during eating)
ALERT FEEDING POSITION

3.

HORIZONTAL PLANE BORDER &

FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS: When mandibular movements are viewed in the
horizontal plane, a rhomboid-shaped pattern can
be seen that has a functional component, & 4
distinct movement components:1) Left lateral border
2) Continued left lateral border
with protrusion
3) Right lateral border
4) Continued right lateral border
with protrusion

LEFT LATERAL BORDER MOVEMENTS:-

With the condyles in the centric relation position, contraction

of the right inferior lateral pterygoid move the right condyle anteriorly and medially.
If left inferior pterygoid stays relaxed, with the left condyle still
in the CR & result will be left lateral border movement.
Left condyle- working or rotatory
Right condyle- non-working or
orbiting

CONTINUED LEFT LATERAL

BORDER MOVEMENTS WITH
PROTRUSION: With the mandible in the left lateral border position,
contraction of the left inferior lateral pterygoid along with
continued contraction of right inferior lateral pterygoid
will cause the left condyle to move anteriorly to the right.

RIGHT LATERAL BORDER

MOVEMENTS: Left condyle- orbiting
Right condyle- rotatory

CONTINUED RIGHT LATERAL BORDER

MOVEMENTS WITH PROTRUSION:-

FUNCTIONAL
MOVEMENTS: As in the sagittal plane,
functional movement in the
horizontal plane most often
occur near the intercuspal
position.
During chewing the range of
jaw movements begins some
distance
from
maximum
intercuspal position; but as
the food is broken down into
smaller particles, jaw action
moves closer and closer to
intercuspal position.

FRONTAL (VERTICAL) BORDER

&
FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENTS:

A shield-shaped pattern can be seen that has a

functional component, & four distinct movement
components:1.Left lateral superior border.
2.Left lateral opening border.
3.Right lateral superior border.
4.Right lateral opening border.

Left Lateral Superior Border

Movements:

With the mandible in maximum intercuspation, lateral

movement is made to the left. It discloses a inferiorly
concave path being generated .
The nature of this path
It depends upon morphology and interarch relationships of
maxillary and mandibular teeth.
The maximum lateral extent of this movement is determined by
ligaments of the rotating joint.

Left Lateral Opening Border

Movements:

From the maximum left lateral superior border position, an

opening movement of the mandible produces a laterally
convex path. As maximum opening

Right Lateral Superior Border

Movements:-

 Right Lateral Opening Border

Movements:-

Functional Movements:-

ENVELOPE OF MOTION:Given by POSSELT

By combining mandibular border
movements in all 3
planes, a 3D
envelope of motion is produced.
This represents maximum range of
movement of the mandible.
The superior surface of the envelop
is determined by tooth contacts
whereas the other borders are
primarily determined by ligaments
and joint anatomy that limits or
restrict movement

ECCENTRIC MANDIBULAR
MOVEMENTS
Eccentric mandibular movement can
be divided into protrusive and lateral
movements which consists mainly of
condylar translations.

1) PROTRUSIVE MOVEMENT: a)Sagittal Protrusive Condylar Path:Mandible translates in forward and downward direction during
protrusive movement.
The right and left muscles do not make simultaneous
movements. so pure protrusive movements do not exist in
clinical situation
(Hobo,Mochizuki,1982)

The orbits produced by the center of the right

and left condyle during protrusive movement is
referred to as PROTRUSIVE CONDYLAR PATH

It forms an angle with horizontal

reference plane known as Sagittal
inclination of protrusive condylar path.
Ranges from 5- 55. (with FH plane as
horizontal ref.)
Mean 30.4. (Hobo,Mochizuki,1982)
33 when campers plane is
used(Gysi,kohler,1929)

b) Sagittal Protrusive Incisal Path:The orbit of incisal point from maximum intercuspation to
edge-to-edge occlusion PROTRUSIVE INCISAL PATH
The mean length of the path is 5 mm
Angle formed by protrusive incisal path and horizontal
reference plane SAGITTAL INCLINATION OF PROTRUSIVE
INCISAL PATH (incisal guidance angle)
range between 50-70 degrees. (Gysi,Kohler,1929)
Usually sagittal inclination of
protrusive incisal path is steeper
than sagittal inclination of
protrusive condylar path.
(Hobo,1978)

2)LATERAL MOVEMENT: Lateral movements are complex activities

in most humans
Lateral movement from occlusal position
and back again are assymetric.The right
and left condyle carry out different
movements.
Thus lateral movements:
Sagittal plane
Horizontal plane

LATERAL MOVEMENTS IN SAGITTAL

PLANE
Sagittal Lateral Condylar Path: When lateral movement is executed the working
condyle rotates & moves outward, while the non
working condyle translates forward, medially
downward orbiting around the rotating working
condyle.
When the orbit of nonworking

condyle is traced in the sagittal

plane it is known as Sagittal
lateral condylar path.
Lateral condylar path is longer
& more steep than the protrusive
condylar path.

 FISCHER ANGLE:- The angle formed between

the sagittal protrusive condylar path & sagittal
lateral condylar path (approx 5).
The angle formed by the sagittal lateral
condylar path & horizontal reference plane is
known as Sagittal Inclination Of Lateral
Condylar Path
Angle between sagittal lateral condylar path
and FH plane is approx 45-50
(Lundeen,Wirth,1973)

Lateral movement in
horizontal plane
Working side lateral movement
Nonworking side lateral movement

Working side lateral movement

Sir Normal Godfery Bennett(1908) studied working condylar path and

called it BENNETT MOVEMENT, now referred to as LATEROTRUSION.

Bennett showed that working condyle moves outwards and nonworking

condyle moves inwards.

Although Bennett has described about the movement which became

popularly known as Bennett movement ,the original discovery of this
movement should go to BALKWILL,who described the same side shift in
1866.

Bennett movement refers to the CONDYLAR MOVEMENT on the

working side, were the working condyle rotates and moves slightly
outwards.
This outward direction of bennett path (laterotrusion) may be combined
with an
Upward (laterosurtrusion)
Downward (laterudetrusion)
Forward (lateroprotrusion), or
Backward (lateroretrusion) component

Bennett side shift is the bodily side shift of the MANDIBLE on the
working side in the horizontal plane. (Mandibular Lateral Translation)

 When the mandible is moved laterally to the

working side,it rotates on the vertical axis
passing through the center of the working
condyle.
Besides rotation around the vertical axis the
working condyle must move laterally (Bennett
movement) to accommodate the medial
movement of the orbiting nonworking
condyle.
Therefore the side shift of the working condyle
is dependent and is consequent to the medial
movement of the orbiting condylar path

Nonworking side lateral

movement
During lateral movement
the working condyle
rotates and moves outwards and the nonworking
condyle moves medially and advances in a
forward and downward direction.When this path
of nonworking condyle is traced on horizontal
plane it is known as the HORIZONTAL LATERAL
CONDYLAR PATH

It has 2 components:
Immediate mandibular lateral translation
Progressive mandibular lateral translation

Immediate mandibular lateral translation

Occurs when the nonworking condyle moves from the centric
relation straight inward or medially,
to a distance of approx 1.0mm (Lundeen,Wirth,1973)
0-2.6mm (mean-0.42mm) (Hobo,Mochizuki,1982),as
recorded using a electronic mandibular recording device
Beyond this the condyle moves forward, downward & inward

Progressive mandibular lateral translation

It is the translatory portion of the lateral movement that occur
at a rate proportional to forward movement of non working
condyle .(GPT 1987)
the value of progressive mandibular lateral translation is 7.5
(Lundeen,Wirth,1973)

Angle formed by the horizontal condylar path and

sagittal plane varies between 2 -44 (mean 16) and
is called as BENNETT ANGLE

Bennett movement has 3 components:

Amount
Timing
Direction

AMOUNT
The amount of medial movement of the orbiting
condyle governs the magnitude of lateral shift of the
mandible (Bennett shift)
IMMEDIATE SIDE SHIFT is the bodily shift of the condyle
in horizontal plane. this is regulated by the shape of the
glenoid fossa,looseness of the capsular ligaments and
contraction of the lateral pterygoids.
a mean movement of 1.0 mm (Lundeen,Wirth,1973)

Beyond this the condyle moves forward, downward &

inward, this is known as PROGRESSIVE SIDE SHIFT.

Combined amount of (ISS+PSS) is the Bennett angle,

with a mean value of 16

2) TIMING: The rate or amount of descent of

contralateral condyle & the rotation &
lateral shift of ipsilateral condyle.
Immediate side shift
is the 1st movement the mandible
makes when initiating lateral excursions.
Progressive side shift:Beyond the immediate side shift the
condyles move forward, downward and
inward.

3) DIRECTION: The direction of Bennett movement depends

primarily on the direction taken by the
rotating condyle during the bodily movement.
The direction of the shift of the rotating
condyle during Bennett movement is
determined by the TM joint undergoing
rotation.

LATERAL INCISAL PATH:The orbit produced by incisal point during

lateral movementis referred to as the
lateral incisal path.
When the path is traced on a horizontal
plane it is called the GOTHIC ARCH tracing.
The angle produced by right and left
horizontal incisal path is called the gothic
arch angle.
Mean value - 120

PRACTICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

1.

Patients with excessive Bennett movement and little or no anterior

guidance present the greatest challenge in occlusal rehabilitation
procedures because the cusp movement pathways of there
posterior teeth are very shallow.
The elimination of eccentric cusp interference can be very
difficult. in this study it was shown that increase in anterior
guidance to 40 produced only a slight change in the lateral
pathways in presence of a 3.5mm Bennett movement. The
completely adjustable articulator would be most helpful for such
patients.

2.

Patients with very little Bennett movenent,0.75mm or less ,have

molar cusp movement pathways that reflect the steepness of the
anterior guidance and the non working condylar pathways. The
potential for eccentric cusp interference is markedly reduced due
to the steep immediate cusp separation seen close to the
intercuspal position

3.

A condylar movement screening device that would quickly and

simply determine a patients approx bennett movement and the
inclination of the nonworking condylar pathway would provide

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF
MASTICATORY SYSTEM
MASTICATION: It is the act of chewing food. It represents the initial
stages of digestion
CHEWING STROKE:
Mastication is made up of rhythmic & well controlled
separation & closure of the maxillary & mandibular
teeth.
This activity is under control of CPG,located in the
brainstem.
In frontal plane, it has a tear shaped pattern.

 It can be divided into

a) Opening Phase
b) Closing Phase
i) Crushing
Phase
ii) Grinding
Phase.
When the mandible is
traced in the frontal plane
following sequence
occurs-

 If the movement of a mandibular incisor is followed in

the SAGITTAL PLANE during a typical chewing stroke, it
will be seen that during the opening phase the mandible
moves slightly anteriorly.

Working side

Nonworking side

TOOTH CONTACT DURING MASTICATION:

When food is initially introduced in the
mouth,fewer contacts occur.
As bolous is broken down frequency of contacts
increase.
2 types of contacts:
-gliding contacts
-single contacts

SWALLOWING (DEGLUTITION): It is a series of co-coordinated muscular contractions that

moves a bolus of food from the oral cavity through the
esophagus to the stomach.
It consists of voluntary, involuntary and reflex muscular
activity.
Stabilization of the mandible is an important part of
swallowing.
The mandible must be fixed so contraction of suprahyoid &
infrahyoid muscles can control proper movement of the hyoid
bone needed for swallowing.
a) Somatic swallow
b) Visceral swallow
It is believed that when the mandible is braced it is brought
into most retruded position.
But according to Okeson the quality of intercuspal position will
determine the position of the mandible during swallowing and
not a retruded relationship with the fossa.

Parafunctional movements
May be described as sustained activities that
occur beyond the normal mastication and speech.
It is manifested by long periods of muscle
contraction and hyperactivity
Excessive occlusal pressure and prolonged tooth
contact occur,which is inconsistent with normal
chewing cycle.
Two most common forms of parafunctional
activities are
bruxism
clenching

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE
A prosthodontist has to aim to reproduce
accurate mandibular movements which
allow us to facricate restorations and
prostheses in harmony with the patients
natural function. Knowledge of the
mandibular movements essential, it helps
the dentist in:
-Selecting and programming of articulators
-Treating TMJ disturbances.
- Arranging artificial teeth.
- Development of occlusal scheme.

Concepts of occlusion differ depending upon whether

restoration are fixed or removable .the dentist must have the
knowledge of the effect of guiding factors of the mandible

CONDYLAR GUIDANCE
Is one of the two end controlling factors not under the control
of the dentist.
It is determined by the shape of the articular eminence,
anatomy of the medial wall of mandibular fossa,and
configuration of mandibular condyle

Effects of condylar guidance on cusp height

a)The lesser the condylar guidance angle, the shorter the cusps
must be.
b) The greater the condylar guidance angle, the longer the
cusps
may be

ANTERIOR GUIDANCE
The anterior determinants are the vertical and horizontal
overlaps and lingual concavities on maxillary anterior teeth.
These can be altered by restorative and orthodontic
treatment.

Effects of anterior guidance on cusp height

The greater the horizontal overlap of the maxillary anterior
teeth, the shorter the cusps of the posterior teeth must be.
The lesser the horizontal overlap the longer the cusps of
the
posterior teeth may be
The lesser the vertical overlap, the shorter the cusps of the
posterior teeth must be.
The greater the vertical overlap, the longer the posterior

 Bennetts Movement:Movement responsible for lateral chewing

stroke.

-Movement during which the greater lateral

force is exerted.
- It is extremely important that articulating
surfaces are is strict harmony with this side shift.

Effect on cusp height:

- Greater the side shift of the mandible
shorter the cusps must be.

- The lesser the side shift of the mandible

longer the cusps may be.

Summary

Conclusion
nature has blessed us with a
marvelously dynamic masticatory
system, allowing us to function and
therefore exist
One has aimed to reproduce accurate mandibular
movements, which allow us to fabricate
restorations and prostheses in harmony with the
patients natural function.