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Functional-rhythmical coupling of head and mandibular movements.
S Kohno1, T Matsuyama, R U Medina
1Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Niigata University, School of Dentistry, Niigata City, Japan. kohno@dent.niigata-u.ac.jp
Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
|April 12, 2001
Summary
Head and jaw movements are rhythmically coordinated during chewing. This study found that head movements synchronize with mandibular movements, suggesting a functional coupling during mastication.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Neuroscience
- Dentistry
Background:
- Small head movements are known to accompany jaw movements during mastication.
- The rhythmic and synchronous nature of these head-jaw movements remains uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional coupling between head and mandibular movements.
- To determine if head and jaw movements during mastication occur rhythmically and synchronously.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional motion analysis using the Trimet system.
- Tracking of upper and lower incisal points to measure head and mandibular movements.
- Analysis of the vertical components of movements during tapping tasks at varying frequencies and ranges.
Main Results:
- A high incidence rate (98%) of concomitant head and mandibular movements was observed.
- The head moved cranially during jaw opening and caudally during jaw closing, mirroring mandibular motion.
- A strong correlation (0.94) was found between the cycle times of coincident head and jaw movements.
- The vertical range of head movement was approximately 10% of the jaw's movement range.
Conclusions:
- Head and mandibular movements exhibit rhythmical coordination during teeth tapping.
- Evidence suggests a functional coupling between head and jaw movements during mastication.