1

MASTICATION & DYNAMICS

OF OCCLUSION

Done by : Ahad Ahmed •

: Reference •

Essentials of Oral Histology and Physiology Arthur R. Hand ( •

)and Marion E. Frank
Chapter n.12
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:The Muscles of mastication

Attached to the mandible Assisting muscles

Elevators Infrahyoid muscles

Depressors (Only when the hyoid Muscles of the lips & cheeks
bone is fixed by infrahyoid muscles

Tongue muscles
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Muscles of mastication
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Masseter & m. pterygoid have the same action

but masseter is stronger >> so they both act as
sling around the mandible
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Depressors
suprahyoid infrahyoid

Digastric – Sternohyoid
main
depressor

Mylohyoid Thyrohyoid

Stylohyoid
Omohyoid

Geniohyoid
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Characterization of masticatory muslces

• Masseter & medial pterygoid
• Power production
• Masseter can withstand long periods of action
• Temporalis
• Stabilizing of mandibular position
• Allowing masseter to take action
• Lateral pterygoid
• Continuous workload at low forces with fatiguing
• Stabilizing the position of TMJ
• Digastric
• Slow fatigue resistance
• Brake the elevator activity as teeth are occluded (minimize injury to
teeth)
• Depression is faster than elevation
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Movement of the Muscle responsible for this
mandible movement
Depression Lat.pterygoid , mylohyoid , ant.belly
)Max 50-60 mm( of digastric , geniohyoid &paltysma

Elevation Masseter , temporalis ,

med.ptyregoid

Protrusion Lat&med ptyregoid , superficial

)mm 8-11( fibers of masseter

Retraction Post.fibers of temporalis

)About 1 mm(
Side to side Lat&med . Ptyregoid
movement
) Max 10-12 mm(
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Electromyography of Masticatory Muscles

• Complex combinations of activation in specific
movements
• The recorded EMG provides information on the
start , duration and termination of muscle`s activity
• Masseter, Temporalis & medial pterygoid activated
in a sequence during mandibular approximation

• Digastric – bursts of activity during elevation to

brake the rate of occlusion force

• Sternocleidomastoid is active in clenching

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Sensory receptors in masticatory muscles

• Control of muscle movement

• Unevenly distributed in the muscles of mastication

• There are specializes receptors such as

• Muscle spindles (receptors located within muscles which
provide the brain with sensory information about muscle length )
• Many in elevators and tongue muscles
• Few in depressors

• Golgi tendon organs (which is sensitive to muscle tension)

• Not known if they exist in elevators
• Protect against overdevelopment of muscle tension
• Performed by PDL receptors – limit force applied in mastication
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Food Transport Muscles

• Tongue, lips & cheek muscles

• Pass food back & forth between the teeth
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Shorten the tongue

& elevates its edges

Shorten the tongue &

depresses its edges

Broaden & flatten

the tongue

Elongate & narrow

the tongue
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Facial muscles involved in food transport

• Buccinator
• Pushes food back between occlusal surfaces
• Opposes outward pressure of the tongue
• Aids in transverse movement of food during mastication
• Storage of food during mastication – less important in
humans

• Perioral muscles
• Same functions as buccinator during mastication but
anteriorly
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Rest position
• Teeth are held slightly separate
• Mandible is held by the sling of medial pterygoid &
Masseter
• TMJ is not loaded
• Freeway space *average (2-3mm) = interdental space =
speech space
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:Sequence of food intake

• Incision
• Fragmentation of food by approximation (occlusion)
• Moving mandible against maxilla
• Rotation about the 2 TMJs

• Transport
• To & between premolar & Molar teeth

• Mastication
• Fragmentation of food by approximation (occlusion)
• Moving mandible against maxilla

• Transport preparatory to swallowing

Transport back into first part of pharynx

• Deglutition (swallowing)
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Incision
• Consists of
• Protrusive movement
• Condylar heads sliding forwards &
downwards onto articular eminence
• Depression in protruded position
• Hinge movement to elevate the
body to edge-edge incisal position
• Acting muscles
• Protrusion – Lateral pterygoid
• Final elevation – Medial perygoid
& Masseter
• Maximum separation 3 cm
• Beyond that - dislocation
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Incising resistant food

• Mandible begins to retrude but stops as
resistance is felt
• Teeth pressed into food
• Side-to-side oscillating retrusive slide
• Some lateral movement in protrusion (sawing
motion)
• Food portion separates
• Mandible drops slightly to release the particle
• Lips guide it toward cheek teeth
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Incising moderately resistant & soft food

• Moderately resistant food
• Mandible slides back to Intercuspal Position
• Food portion separates in scissor-blade movement
• Soft food
• Sheared by incisors
• Not cut through
• Food thins and parts
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Mastication
• Primary role of mastication is to break down
foodstuffs for subsequent digestion by means of
the masticatory forces generated between teeth
•
• Movement of the body of the mandible
• In a vertical plane
• In a horizontal plane
• Movement of the tongue, lips & cheeks
• To control position and form of food
• Food reduced in size by
• Teeth
• Tongue against palate
• Food mixed with saliva – softened mass (bolus)
• Precision – rarity of biting tongue, lips or cheeks
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Mastication

• Masticatory stroke (chewing cycle)

• Jaw opening phase

• Increasing separation of occlusal teeth
• Rapid jaw closing phase
• Occlusal surfaces are brought together
• Slow jaw closing phase
• Food particles are crushed between occlusal surfaces
• Tooth contact phase – power phase
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Jaw opening phase

• Sequence of muscular activation:
1-Mylohyoid
muscle

2-Digastric(Hyoid bone needs to

be fixed by infrahyoid muscles

3-Inferior head of
Latral pterygoid
• Degree of separation
• depends on size & consistency of food
• Varies in one person
• Lower incisors move 10 – 15 mm downwards

• May be divided into 2 phases

• Slow opening followed by
• Rapid opening
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Rapid jaw closing phase

• Chewing stroke swings to the preferred chewing side
• Activity in Lateral ptergoid ceases – mandibular
depression is zero
• Activity
• Elevatory component - Masseter, Medial pterygoid& temporalis
• Lateral deviation – lateral pterygoid
• Contralateral medial ptrygoid contracts before ipsilateral
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Rapid jaw closing phase

• Working side condyle moves back horizontally
• Balancing condyle moves upwards &
backwards
• Terminal position before slow closing phase
• Both condyles are displaced laterally
• Working side condyle 0.25 mm below its original
starting position
• Sequence of muscle activity
• Working side
• Lateral pterygoid, temporalisa & temporalis p, deep Masseter
Medial pterygoid, deep Masseter
• Balancing side
• Medial pterygoid, deep masseter
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Slow jaw closing phase

• Rapid phase ends when resistance is detected between
the teeth
• Slow closure follows

• Slide of mandibular teeth against cuspal inclines of

maxillary teeth

• Three possible outcomes

• Failure to penetrate food particle even after the power stroke
• Slow penetration of food particle & tooth contact
• Sudden breakage of food particle – unloading reflex – separation

• Next cycle is initiated by stimulation of PDL receptors

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Slow jaw closing & power stroke

• Increasing force of contraction in all elevator muscles of
both sides
• TPa & TPp, Masseter deep & Masseter superficial s, Medial
pterygoid Post, Lateral pterygid upper & Lateral
• pterygoid lower

• Power stroke returns

• Working side condyle back to its starting position
• Upwards & medially
• Balancing side condyle at original higher position on anterior slope
of the fossa
• Laterally
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Control of mastication
• Voluntary initiation
• Involuntary periods also occur
• Reflex activity (ex. bite hard object)
• Can be overridden by voluntary control

• Mastication is involuntarily initiated by stimulating the

anterior sensorimotor cortex
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Control of mastication
• Central rhythm generator : the area controlling the
mastication in brainstem

• Responsible for the automatic rhythmic activity

• Operate by neurons
• Stimulating elevator muscles (Antigravity muscle )

• Inhibiting active depressor muscles(gravity muscle)

• Activity modified by sensory inputs from intraoral muscle & joint
receptors
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Control of mastication
• Incision / food taken into the mouth »»
• Rhythmic pattern of mastication »»
• Receptors in PDL, muscles, joints
• Pressure & touch receptors in tongue & palate
• Monitor hardness of food & degree of comminution
»»
• Feedback to
• Motor neurons
• Rhythm generator
• Cerebellum
• Adjust the activity of the muscles »»
• Soft food is chewed faster than hard food
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Control of mastication
• Cycle is longer at beginning of ingestion
• Food become smaller so chewing cycle become shorter
• Different types of food fragment in different ways
• Food bolus is judges by oral receptors to be ready for
swallowing
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Control of mastication
• Amount of chewing before swallowing
• Characteristic of the individual
• Influenced by nature of food
• Number of strokes before swallowing
• Men > women
• Women > children
• Not markedly influenced by state of dentition
• Influenced by efficiency of food comminution
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Bite force
• Force measured by a gnathodynamometer

• Forces on the teeth during mastication are usually 5-10 kg ,

maximal 20 to 200kg
• Depending on such factors as:
• Teeth (molar =440N,canine 150N )
• Consistency or toughness of the food
• wearersing of denture 64 N
• Presence of pain or periodontal disease

• Force increased by training

• Eskemo women chew sealskin to use in clothing
• Force can reach 1450 & 1700 N
• Limit on force
• Stimulation of pain receptors in PDL
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Functions of chewing
• No large particles damaging the esophageal or gastric
mucosa
• Reduce amount of digestion in stomach
• Maintenance of oral mucosal health
• Psychological value
• Fulfilling emotional needs (gum & tobacco chewing
• Satisfaction or calming effect
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Masticatory reflexes
Modification of central rhythm •

Jaw jerk Jaw opening

reflex reflex

Unloading
reflex
Jaw jerk reflex 35

• Stretch reflex or masseter reflex

• Similar to knee jerk reflex

• Mediated by monosynaptic pathway >> involving just

2 neurons
• Induced by a sharp downward tap on the chin when
the mandible is held loosely in the rest position »»
• Reflex generated by muscle spindles in M
• Contraction of masseter muscle »»
• Teeth are brought to occlusion
• No muscle spindles in depressors - no jerk reflex
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Jaw opening reflex

• Mechanical or electrical stimulation of
• Lips, oral mucosa, teeth (PDL) »»
• Inhibition of activity of elevators
• Assumed to be polysynaptic
• No simultaneous contraction of depressors
• Similar effect when a hard particle stops mandibular
elevation (rock)
• Other animals – contraction of depressors
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Unloading reflex
• Control of mastication – a protective mechanism
• Sudden reduction in the resistance of a food particle »»
(peanut)
• Sudden inactivation of massetric muscle spindles »»
• Massetric activity is decreased »»
• Immediate stop in closure
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The main motor & sensory brainstem nuclei

: associated cranial nerve
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Swallowing
◦ A complex of true reflex actions.
◦ Unlike mastication which is sensormotor behavior learned
after birth , swallowing is an innate

Complex :
Dual function of pharynx:
◦ Part of digestive system.
◦ Route for air passage to the lungs.

◦ Two kinds of reflexive activities:

1. A reflex of food transfer to esophagus.
2. A reflex protection of the airways.
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Infants vs Adults
( Pharynx, Larynx Anatomy)

Larynx higher in the neck. Larynx lower in the neck

Epiglottis touching the soft palate. Epiglottis far from soft palate
Pharynx shorter. Pharynx longer
Hard palate flatter. (Greater risk of aspiration)
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Suckling
◦ Is another example of a complex orofacial
sensorimotor behavior
◦ Very primitive reflex.
◦ Demonstrated as early as 20 weeks in utero.
◦ Fully developed just before birth.
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Suckling
◦ Baby pulls & sucks the nipple (areola is held in the
mouth).
◦ Nipple is pulled as back as possible hard & soft palates.
◦ Tooth pads are not approximated.
◦ Tongue is protruded & in contact with lower lip.

Image modified from: https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding-professionals/research/infant-sucking

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Suckling
◦ Lower jaw is lowered and raised alternatively:
◦ Jaw lowered  body of tongue moves downwards & forwards
◦ Negative pressure – facilitates passage of milk from nipple.

◦ Jaw raised body of tongue moves upward and backward

◦ Positive pressure – forces contents into upper part of
pharynx relaxation then contraction of pharyngeal
muscles.

◦ Airway is maintained

Image modified from: https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding-professionals/research/infant-sucking

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Bottle Feeding

◦ No let-down reflex of milk.

◦ Positive pressure on the teattongue against upper tooth
pad.
◦ Backward movement of the tongue squeezes milk along &
out of the teat.
• Feeding and drinking are dependent in particular on the
function of higher brain centers such as the hypothalamus
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Swallowing of the Food Bolus

Oral Phase Pharyngeal Esophageal

Phase Phase

Few seconds
Bolus formation  passed back in the
mouth
Lasts 1 second Voluntary

Reflex
Within a second
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Oral Phase

◦ Two phases:

 Molding the food & saliva into a bolus.

 Forcing the bolus back into the mouth to contact

the posterior pharyngeal wall & the palatoglossal
arches.
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Bolus Formation

◦ Activation of cheek & tongue receptors by food contact

ready for swallowing (masticatory pattern generator).

◦ Activity of muscles of mastication, buccinator & tongue are

adjusted.

◦ Rhythmic movement of the mandible is reduced once the

food bolus is ready to be pushed to the pharynx.

◦ Bolus formed in a hollow between the depressed tongue

and the palate.
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Forcing Bolus Backwards
◦ Teeth are brought to centric occlusion  develop lip
seal (Orbicularis oris muscle)
◦ Thrusting tip of the tongue against anterior teeth.
◦ Positive pressure in the mouth (10 kPa).
◦ Tongue drops from palate+ relaxation of the pharynx 
Negative pressure in the back.
◦ Bolus goes down pressure gradient.
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Pharyngeal Phase
Stimulation of anterior pillars of fauces

Pharyngeal phase starts

The soft palate elevates, closing off the nasopharynx

The area of tongue-palate contact spreads posteriorly,

squeezing the bolus into the pharynx.
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Pharyngeal Phase
The larynx is displaced upward and forward as the epiglottis
tilts backward

Epiglottis falls back as a cap over the larynx

Respiration inhibited and liquid or food bolus diverted away

from trachea
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Esophageal Phase
Relaxation of the cricopharyngeal muscle (upper
esophageal sphincter)

Bolus moves along pressure gradient

Peristaltic wave begins

Fluid Food Bolus

Gravity (upright) The drier the bolus the harder it is
No esophageal peristalsis needed to swallow  more esophageal
activity is required.
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Esophageal Phase
Respiration is reestablished

Receptive relaxation (relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter)

Bolus reaches stomach and sphincter contacts again

*Matsuo et al 2009, Anatomy and Physiology of Feeding and Swallowing – Normal and
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Frequency of Swallowing

◦ ~600 / 24 hrs.
◦ ¼ during food ingestion (~150).
◦ ¾ for saliva (~450)  accumulation of 5ml volume
of saliva  triggers swallowing reflex.
◦ During sleep ~6 / hr.
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Protective Reflexes 57

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Gagging(Retching)
Irritation or noxious stimulation of the posterior part of the oral
cavity

Gagging or retching

Swallowing reflex pattern is inhibited

Mouth held open

Cricopharyngeal sphinctor & nasopharynx are closed

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Gagging (Retching)

o First protective mechanism in GIT.

o Leads to vomiting if the material failed to be
expelled.
o E.g. impression materials.
o Anesthesia can help.

Vomiting is forceful expulsion of contents of the stomach

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Thank you•