Control of mastication by periodontal mechanoreceptors in man

Funded Activity Summary

Despite the importance in chewing and speech, very little is known regarding the fine control of jaw muscles. A thorough understanding of the control of the jaw muscles is at the base of improved diagnosis and treatment of many chewing disorders. For example: We still do not understand the causes of the jaw muscle-joint pain disorder (temporomandibular dysfunction) which accounts for about 5 % of total dental patients. The current treatments, including pain killers, night plates and massage cure only about half of all patients. Improved diagnosis and treatment techniques require more precise elaboration of the neural and muscular mechanisms of chewing. Why do the chewing forces in toothless individuals, despite well fitting dentures, fall to about 20 % of the value in teethed individuals? Do jaw muscles in these subjects weaken because they get less feedback from the receptors around the teeth? How does the chewing force automatically adjust to overcome sudden or gradual changes in the characteristics of foodstuff? Although bite to bite changes in the chewing force is observed in subjects with natural teeth, no such changes occur in toothless subjects or subjects chewing with implanted bridges. How do the receptors adjust the activation of jaw muscles so that bite force is applied in the right direction and right amount at each bite? The aim of this study is to define the importance of the periodontal mechanoreceptors (tiny nerve cells that are situated between the roots of the teeth and the jaw bone that signal bite force to the brain) in the control of jaw muscles. This study will, therefore, illustrate the importance of keeping the teeth and gums healthy for the development of strong, smooth and well-controlled chewing forces, and potentially create opportunities to improve chewing (and thereby quality of life) in toothless individuals or those experiencing other difficulties in chewing.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2002

End Date: 01-01-2004

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $169,990.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Medical physiology not elsewhere classified

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

health related to ageing (tooth loss) | jaw dysfunction | jaw joint pain | jaw movement | musculoskeletal disorders | neural reflexes | sensorimotor control | synaptic mechanisms | temporomandibular disorders

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