Ageing and the Accuracy of Jaw Muscle Control

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of ageing upon the accuracy with which subjects control jaw muscle activity during voluntary tooth clenching. The experiment involved the subjects clenching on a force transducer to achieve and maintain a predetermined target force displayed using a biofeedback light bar. The subjects were seventeen healthy, dentally fit males, ranging in age from 22 to 77 years, each of whom performed the experiment on one occasion. Target forces of 0.5, 1 and 2 Kg were demanded, and were maintained for two minutes duration with an equivalent rest period between each task. Subject performance was a measure of the difference between the force achieved and the target force, and was obtained electrically using an integrator controlled by a timing device. The results showed that performance deteriorated both at higher force levels and with increasing age, although there was a wide variation in ability between different individuals.

Alterations in jaw clenching force control in people with myogenic temporomandibular disorders

“…Not surprisingly, bite force can be impaired in patients with TMDs [19][20][21]. However, a very limited number of studies have investigated the accuracy and control of bite force and those that have been conducted, were on asymptomatic people [22][23][24]. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the accuracy of bite force control in patients with myogenic TMD.…”