Biomechanics of the human temporomandibular joint during chewing

Experimental data on the loading of the human temporomandibular joint during chewing are scarce. Coincidence of the opening and closing chewing strokes of the condyles probably indicates compression in the joint during chewing. Using this indication, we studied the loading of the joint during chewing and chopping of a latex-packed food bolus on the left or right side of the mouth. Mandibular movements of ten healthy subjects were recorded. Distances traveled by the condylar kinematic centers were normalized with respect to the distances traveled during maximum opening. We judged coincidence of the opening and closing condylar movement traces without knowing their origin. When subjects chewed, the ipsilateral condyles traveled shorter distances than did the contralateral condyles. During chewing and chopping, all contralateral condyles showed a coincident movement pattern, while a significantly smaller number of ipsilateral condyles did. These results suggest that the ipsilateral joints were less heavily loaded during chewing and chopping than were the contralateral joints.