TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT DYSFUNCTION AND FLAT LATERAL GUIDANCES - A CLINICAL-ASSOCIATION

Temporomandibular joint alterations have been associated with abnormal mandibular movements in the open/close cycles and in the laterotrusiv e border movements. The quantitative analysis of these movements could allow a better or earlier diagnosis for patients and offer some insig ht into the pathophysiology of the disorder. Maximum opening and mandi bular laterotrusive border movements were studied and measured in a gr oup of 165 patients with a considerable lateral deviation (equal to or greater than 5 mm) in maximum opening. Movements were directly perfor med by the patients and recorded with a mandibular kinesiograph. The s lope of the lateral guidance (frontal plane projection) was measured i n the first millimeters of motion and started from the maximum intercu spal position. On average, slopes were significantly flatter on the sa me side with the opening deviation. These slopes were significantly fl atter than previously published physiologic ranges, whereas contralate ral slopes were similar to normal references. The results may be expla ined by a correlation between the insufficient lateral protection and a temporomandibular mandibular joint dysfunction (ipsilateral low mobi lity).