Biologic laws governing functions of muscles that move the mandible. Part II. Condylar position

A model to quantify muscle response to occlusal contacts is useful in developing an understanding of the mechanism by which the occlusion programs muscle function. A knowledge of how the occlusion programs muscle function enables the dentist to develop manipulative skills of the mandible which are necessary for diagnosis and effective occlusal treatment. This article presents complicated neuromuscular responses (reflexes) to occlusal contacts in an oversimplified way and with analogies so that the clinical significance of these neuromuscular reflexes in diagnosis and treatment can be more easily understood.