Malocclusion, masticatory muscle, and temporomandibular joint tenderness

The Angle classification of occlusion, as well as occlusal contacts determined at retrusion, mediotrusion, laterotrusion, and protrusion were recorded from 298 dental students. Various masticatory muscles and the TM joints were palpated simultaneously for tenderness. No significant relationships were observed between (1) tenderness and Angle class or (2) tenderness and any occlusal contact. In relation to a slide between retruded contact position and intercuspal position: measurements for (a) vertical and (b) horizontal displacements, but not (c) lateral deflection, were greater in Class I students without tenderness than in Class I students with tenderness.