Functional movements of the mandible

Charles H. Gibbs, Ph.D.,* Theodore Messerman, D.D.S.,**

James B. Reswick, D.Sc.,*** and Harry J. Derda****
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

M ore than 60 years ago Norman BennetP

to the Study of the Movements of the Mandible”
noted in his paper “A Contribution
that “. . . I cannot help think-
ing that more frequent collaboration between workers in different fields, meeting
on borderline subjects, would result in the elucidation of questions which present
much difficulty to the specialist.” This study and report is based on findings of
just such a collaborative effort among medical engineers, a clinician, and com-
puter scientists at Case Western Reserve University. This report focuses on the
results of our jaw motion studies in relation to two primary objectives.
The first objective was to provide an accurate and extensive study of jaw
motion and maxillamandibular relationship during chewing. This would enable
articulator specifications to be made, which would enable the dentist to build
and test prosthetic appliances in an actual functional relationship as it occurs
in the mouth. These articulator specifications would be based on the common
recognizable elements of jaw movements involved in chewing, regardless of the
effect of various occlusal schemes. The second basic objective was to determine the
manner and degree that differing states of occlusion affect jaw motion during
chewing. Data providing extensive statistics comparing subjects with “normal”
occlusions and with malocclusions, may enable dentists to prevent periodontal
and temporomandibular disease and consequent tooth loss.

Research project under sponsorship of United States Public Health Service Grant No.
DE 03500.
*Research Associate, Engineering Design Center.
““Senior Research Associate, Engineering Design Center, and Research Associate, School
of Dentistry, Deceased.
***Director of Engineering and Director, Ranch0 Los Amigos Hospital, Downey, Calif.
****Instrument Maker and Head, Precision Machine Shop, Engineering Design Center.

604
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 605
Number 6

SUBJECTS
Jaw motion data were obtained from 12 subjects: four with “normal” OCC~U-
sions, four with rehabilitated occlusions that clinically fulfilled the authors’ cri-
teria for ideal occlusion, and four with obvious malocclusions.
Our criteria for ideal occlusion are ( 1) all the teeth are present with perhaps
the exception of the third molars; (2) the teeth are in good arch alignment; (3)
there is no abnormal wear on the occlusal surfaces and the teeth are free of any
restorative dentistry except perhaps small occlusal amalgams; (4) the teeth inter-
cuspate with their respective antagonists in normal order according to Angle’s First
Classification, and (5) the gingival tissues are normal in all areas, having sulci
around all the teeth of normal depth. The four subjects in this study with “normal”
occlusion essentially fulfilled these criteria of ideal occlusion.
This report describes the motions at the central incisor and at the right and
left condyles. Observations for the chewing of soft and hard foods and gum, as well
as for the physiologic rest position, are included. The food was prepared in morsel
sizes, consequently, incisive movements are not included in these data.

APPARATUS
A complete system for the study of human jaw motion has been developed at
Case Western Reserve University. 1-s The instruments of this system were specially
designed to be noninterfering in function, and to permit preconscious chewing
according to the tenets of reflex action. This system measures all six degrees of
motion of the jaw with respect to the unconstrained head position. It records this
information for playback to a jaw motion reproducer mechanism which is also
used for computer analysis (Fig. 1). The motion of all jaw points (i.e., condyles,
coronoid processes, teeth, etc.) are known, and a wide variety of parameters of
jaw motion including screw axes of rotation can be calculated by the com-
puter.
This system is termed the Case Gnathic Replicator and it records jaw motion
with six incremental transducers mounted between an upper maxillary reference
bow and a lower-jaw-mounted face-bow. The moving parts of the system weigh
60 Gm. (Fig. 2). The maximum measuring error is 0.005 inch (0.13 mm.). High
precision is needed in the all-important intercuspal range where pathologic forces
of tooth-to-tooth contact can occur. Pulse signals from the six transducers are re-
corded on multichannel tape at normal chewing speed. The reproducer mechanism
duplicates jaw motion by mechanically moving a cast replica of the subject’s jaw.
This mechanism is controlled by the subject’s tape recorded jaw motions so that
the cast replica moves in precisely the same manner as the original movements
of the subject’s jaw, but at one tenth the speed. The maximum error for repro-
ducing jaw motion is 0.010 inch (0.25 mm.) in the range of intercuspation. The
cast replicas are visible from nearly all angles, and information of intercuspation
and contact can be gained by direct observation of their motion (Fig. 3).
The clutches, which attach the measuring instrumentation to the teeth, are
cemented to the labial surfaces of the anterior teeth well below the chewing
surfaces. The clutches do not interfere with lip sealing at closure (Fig. 4) .
606 Gibbs, Messerman, Reswick, and Derda .I. I’rosthei.
Decrmhrr-.
Dcnr.
197 I

Fig. 1. The Case Gnathic Replicator system measures all six degrees of mc>tion of the jaw
with respect to the unconstrained head position. It records this informatiorl for playback to L
jaw motion reproducer mechanism and for computer analysis.

RESULTS
The working side and definition of the working functional nzouenzent. ‘I’hc
subjects were asked to chew first on one side and then on the other side. Two
indicators were found useful in differentiating the “food” and %onfood” sides.*
First, the direction of lateral movement of the central incisor near closure occurt~ed
away from the chewing side. That is, with the food on the left side, the central
incisor moved from left to right during the TFM,? and with the food on the right

*The “food” side is the one on which the food was replaced originally. Some food un-
doubtedly moved to the other side during the chewing sequence. Our definition of working
and nonworking sides depends on directions of jaw movement during closure and not on food
position.
TThe TFM (Terminal Functional Movement j : “It is the terminal portion of the path
of mandibular movement operating in the range of intercuspation in power closure. It operate:
in a range of about 5 mm.“6
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 607
Number 6

Fig. 2. A recording session with a subject, the measuring instrument, the Replica ttor, an da
tape ret :o*.der. The moving parts of the measuring instrument weigh 60 Gm.

Fig. 3. After a period of jaw motion duplication, the stone casts can be removed from the
Replicator and inspected for contacting points.
60% Gibbs, Messerman, Reswick, and Derda I. I’rosthet. Urnt.
Ilecembrr 18:: 1

Fig. 4. The clutches are cemented to the anterior teeth well below the chewin suri~~.~-
The clutches do not interfere with lip sealing at closure.

side, the central incisor moved from right to left during the TFM. Xinctv-sr>.er!
per cent of the chews closed in a lateral direction opposite to the “food“ sick>.
The second indicator to differentiate the “food” and “nonfood” sides was the
motion at the condyles. The condylc on the “food” side reached a maximum vr~ti..
cal position during closure before the condyle on the “nonfood” side. The condylr~
on the “food” side then maintained its maximum vertical position during the re-
maining portion of the closing stroke. The condyle on the “nonfood“ side us~ral t!,
reached its maximum vertical position as the central incisor reached clos~ue. Vim+.-
one per cent of the chews showed the condyle on the “food” side to rcac.h ;I nrasi-
mum vertical height before the condyle on the “nonfood” side.
The measurements vvere carried out on four srrbjects with Cinornial” occlusions
and four subjects with malocclusions, w hilt chc\virr,g hard and soft. foods and gu~n.
‘Therefore, these two measurements provided a means for defining a “working”
an d “nonworking” side. For this report. the working side is the side on which
one of the condylrs reachrs a maximurrr upward and rearward position first. X
lateral movement of the central inc,isor (actually the entire mantliblc ! ust1.111:~
occurs medially away from the side of thr working condyle.
Fig. 5 is a plot printed by the computer of the vertical position versus rime
of the central incisor and condyles for a typical subject with a %ormal” occlusion.
During the closing stroke the left condyle reached its maximum height first, :dtw
which both the right condyle and the central incisor reached their maximum
height at approximately the same time. Since thr left condyle reached its maxi-
mum height first, it is the working side condyle and the same (left) side is c‘on-
sidered to be the “food” (working) side.
Eighty-six per cent of the chews of subjects with a “normal” occlusion eating soft
and hard foods showed a definite working side condyle. Since the presence of a
working side condyle is an important constraint in controlling jaw closure, jaw
movement during the part of the closing stroke when one condyle is at its maxi-
mum vertical height is termed the \Yorking Functional Movement (WFM) . AS
later plots will show, the vvorking side condyle ib nearly stationary only in a sagittal
view since it moves medially (Bennett movement ) an average of 0.01’ inch during
the WFM.
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 609
Number G

Left Side WorkinS

Subject BLT5S3

Vertical notion of
the Central Incisor
in the UFM
7

- -Tim in the WFM

TIE3 .IN SECONDS

Fig. 5. Vertical motion of the central incisor and condyles versus time for a subject with
“normal” occlusion while eating soft food. During the closing stroke, the left condyle reached
its maximum height first; therefore, the left side is termed the working side, and it is most
likely that the food is on the left side. The right condyle and central incisor reached maximum
height at about the same time. The central incisor curve shows a series of flat tops, indicating
that this jaw point stopped about 0.2 second at closure.

The average amount of vertical movement of the central incisor for subjects
with “normal” occlusion during the WFM was 0.24 inch. Therefore it appears
that the working side condyle is an important control of jaw closure throughout
the intercuspal range.
The remaining 14 per cent of the chews did not show a definite working side
condyle and exhibited nearly symmetrical closure of the jaw with little lateral
movement. These symmetrical closures showed the condyles and central incisor
to reach their terminal vertical positions simultaneously.
The “normal” occlusion (Fig. 5) exhibits good closure repeatability, i.e., the
central incisor returns to the same terminal position at closure. The central in-
cisor vertical position vs. time curve shows a series of flat tops, These Aat sections
indicate that this point on the jaw stopped for a period of time at closure. This
stoppage time is about 0.2 second or 15 per cent of the chew cycle. Jaw pressure
may have been high during these long periods of jaw closure since the working
condyle (left) varied about 0.01 inch (0.25 mm.) while the central incisor remained
stationary.
Figure 5 also indicates that it is typical for both condyles to begin moving im-
mediately downward and forward upon opening. Therefore, during chewing, the
jaw did not hinge about two working condyles at any time for this group of
patients.
610 Gibbs, Messerman, Reswick, and Derda

Time in Seconds

Fig. 6. Vertical motion of the central incisor and condyles versus time for a subject with
malocclusion eating soft food. These curves show a series of round tops, indicating that the jaw
movement did not stop at closure. Similar plots for subjects with “normal” occlusion show
stoppage of the jaw movement at closure.

Viewing extended position vs. time plots similar to that in Fig. 5 for subjects
with “normal” occlusion chewing soft or hard food demonstrated that:
1. The first few chews did not attain full closure at the central incisor (the
food bolus was large and anteriorly placed), and when full closure was not at-
tained, there was no stoppage of the jaw movement.
2. After the first few chews, full closure was reached by the central incisor at
a very repeatable position (within a few thousandths of an inch:1 ; then the jaws
remained closed for a period of time.
3. The terminal position at the condyles varied about 0.02 inch (0.5 mm) or
about 10 per cent of their total movement.
4. In the first chews of a series, the working side condyle reached its terminal
position first. This pattern changed toward the end of the chewing series where
the condyles moved more symmetrically. We believe that this change on condylar
action is primarily due to anteroposterior movement and softening of the food.
Subjects with malocclusion produced vertical position vs. time plots quite
different from corresponding plots from subjects with “normal” occlusion (Fig.
6). Repeatability at closure of the central incisor for the subject in Fig. 6 is poor.
The central incisor position vs. time plot of this subject with malocclusion shows
no stoppage of jaw movement at closure. (The position vs. time plots appear round
topped instead of flat topped.) Occlusions grouped for chewing of soft foods
showed that a greater percentage of chews with stoppage at closure occurs for
subjects with “normal” occlusion than for subjects with malocclusion. This was
significant to the five per cent level.
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 611
Number 6

Fig. 7. Paths of motion of the central incisor in the frontal plane while chewing soft food.
The arrow heads were drawn by the computer 0.1 second after the beginning of the closing
movements. Many of the closing paths are lateral to the medial opening paths. These paths
are smooth and uniform with good terminal position repeatability.

Most subjects exhibited a reduction in the amount of jaw opening as the chew-
ing neared the swallowing action.
Paths of motion at the central incisor. Paths of motion of the central incisor
in the frontal plane for three subjects with “normal” occlusion and one subject
with repaired occlusion are shown in Fig. 7. Smooth uncrossed motions that re-
turn very nearly to the same closed position are typical for subjects with “normal”
occlusion. These central incisor paths appear to be quite uniformly distributed
within the functional borders of the plots. However, arrow heads drawn by com-
puter for each path (0.1 second after the beginning of closure) indicate that many
of the closing paths are lateral to the medial opening paths. This is a reflection
of the working side condyle guiding the jaw through its lateral excusion during
the working functional movements.
Fig. 7 illustrates how these plotted paths of motion can show the presence
of a gliding contact between teeth during chewing. A sharp break in angle is evi-
dent in the closing portion of the incisor path of subject C. G. The dense line
shows a region where many paths coincide, indicating a physical constraint which
occurred most surely from tooth contact. Subject C. G. had an anterior fixed
partial denture and his occlusion may not have been normal.
For comparison, corresponding plots for central incisor motion during chewing
of chewing soft food are shown for four subjects with malocclusion (Fig. 8). Irregu-
lar, self-crossing motions are typical for subjects with malocclusion. The “closed”
positions of these paths are not as repeatable as are closed positions for subjects with
“normal” occlusion.
Paths of motion of the central incisor during the chewing of gum, soft food,
612 Gibbs, Messerman, Resmick, and Derda

miT2SL KJTIAI GvrlSL MSTlSL

?z3locclusior. fhlocclusion M?locclusion Malocclusion
Fig. 8. Paths of motion of the central incisor in the frontal plane of four subjects with maloc-
clusion chewing soft food. The arrow heads were drawn by the computer 0.1 second after
the beginning of the closure. Irregular self-crossing motions are typical for subjects with
malocclusion.

BL AL BL
"N~rrnal'~ Occlusion ?~ormal" Occlusiorl "Normal" Occlusion
Gum Soft Food Hard Food

P:: IF::
Mllocclusior Malocclusion
.?oft Food Hard Food

/ , Scale ,
i. ;,~ ,
k
c r;l:;,, -4
I
Fig. 9. Paths of motion in the frontal plane of the central incisor during chewing of gum,
soft food, and hard food for two subjects. The paths of motion appear to be more dependent
upon the individual than upon the type of food being chewed.
Volume 26
Number 6
Functional movements of the mandible 613

PLT3Sl BLT%3 CGTlS2

"Normal" "N0lYW.1" Repaired
Occlusion Occlusion Occlusion

Fig. 10. Paths of motion of the central incisor in the sagittal plane for chewing soft food. The
arrow heads drawn by the computer 0.1 second after the beginning of the closure indicate
many closing paths are rearward of the opening path.

and hard food for two subjects are shown in Fig. 9. These chewing plots for the
same subject eating different foods appear to be quite similar. The border outlines
in the TFM are similar for all three plots of subject B. L. with “normal” occlusion.
The three plots of motion for subject B. W. with malocclusion are more irregular
and self-crossing. Therefore, paths of motion of the central incisor appear to be
more dependent on the individual subject than on the type of food being chewed.
Paths of motion in the sagittal plane are shown in Fig. 10. Arrowheads drawn
for each orbit 0.1 second after the beginning of closure indicate that many closing
paths are rearward of the opening paths.
The interocclusal distance at the central incisor during rest was measured for
four subjects with “normal” occlusion. The rest position was made in relation
to the most closed (intercuspal) position. These measurements were made after
the removal of the reference fork which is a period of rest before the entry of
food. The subjects were not aware that any rest position measurements were being
recorded. The vertical opening in relation to the intercuspal position at this rest
position ranged from 0.086 to 0.234 inch with an average of 0.155 inch (4.0 mm.).
The distance rearward ranged from 0.005 to 0.059 inch with an average of 0.035
inch (0.9 mm.) .
The interocclusal distance at the central incisor, measured during the pronun-
ciation of the letter “M,” was on the average 0.040 inch less open than after the
“bite” fork removal and 0.090 inch anterior to the “bite” fork removal position.
614 Gibbs, Messerman, Reswick, and Derda

SAGITTAL VIEW ,

I23
Fig. 11. Paths of motion in the sagittal plane of the central incisor and right condyle during
chewing show the condyle motion to be about 40 per cent of the amount of motion at thr
central incisor.

Therefore, the use of the letter “M” for establishing the interocclusal distance may
be useful in reference to the vertical relation, but is too far forward to establish
the anteroposterior relation.
Paths of motion at the condyles. As shown in Fig. 11 (the directional arrows
drawn by the computer tend to obscure motion paths in reproduction), there is
considerable motion at the condyle during chewing. This motion amounts to about
40 per cent of the motion at the central incisor. As the jaw opens, the condyles
move downward and forward. As the jaw closes, the condyles move upward and
rearward.
Typical condyle motion is further described in Fig. 12 which shows sagittal,
frontal, and horizontal views in orthographic projection. These plots show about
0.060 inch (1.5 mm.) of total lateral motion (Bennett movement) present at thr:
condyle. Since numerous chews were plotted, each individual path is not distin-
guishable. The closed position was quite repeatable and is labeled in this figure.
The sagittal view in Fig. 12 is of particular interest since it shows about 0.070
inch ( 1.8 mm.) variation perpendicular to its path.
The variation in the condylar orbits is investigated further in Fig. 13, which
shows sagittal views of right and left condyle motion for four subjects. Arrow
heads drawn 0.1 second after the beginning of closure show the closing paths to
be posterior and inferior to the opening paths.
To further investigate the motions at the condyles, orthographic projections
into sagittal, frontal, and horizontal planes of one chew were plotted (Fig. 14) .
The working condyle moved medially 0.025 inch (0.6 mm.) during the WFM.
This medial movement during the WFM ranged from 0 to 0.042 inch with an
average of 0.017 inch (0.4 mm.) for the four subjects with a “normal” occlusion.
Closed position repeatability at the condyles was studied by recording the radius
of a sphere to include 70 per cent of the closure positions for each condyle. By
eliminating 30 per cent of the closures, those positions in which the jaw did not
attain full closure at the central incisor are automatically discarded. These radii
ranged from 0.01 to 0.06 inch. This small range is significant since it means the
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 615
Number 6

.5 Inch
I J
Scale

deft condyle
Subject PL
"Normal" Occlusion
Chewing Soft Food

L
Closed Position
Fig. 12. Sagittal, frontal, and horizontal views in orthographic projection of a condyle during
chewing.

condyle is not positioned at greatly different points along the fossae, even for sub-
jects with an obvious malocclusion.

DISCUSSION
Jaw motion exhibited a working side condyle for most chews during the final
part of the closing stroke. This working began with the central incisor 0.24 inch
from closure on the average for subjects with a “normal” occlusion, indicating
that this constraint aids in the control of closure in the intercuspal range (TFM)
where tooth contact and pathologic forces can occur. This part of the final closing
stroke is the WFM.
The medial movement during closure is greatest at the central incisor. The
medial movement at the working condyle during the WFM of four of the subjects
with “normal” occlusion ranged from 0 to 0.042 inch. The average was 0.017
inch (0.4 mm.) . Therefore, during the WFM, the working condyle appears to be
stationary in the sagittal view only.
In 1908 Bennett’* reported that the condyle for one subject moved laterally
about 0.12 inch for lateral protrusive gliding of the teeth. The actual presence of
a Bennett type of movement during chewing has been controversial for many years.
In a cinefluorographic study of one subject, Landall found no lateral movement
616 Gibbs, Messernlan, Reswick, and Derda .I. I’rosthet.
Drrrmhrr.
Lkut.
19il

Y!?? ’ I--
SC8.k

1~~ -2 ’ b

BLTSS3(1,21!7'0,750)
"Normal" Occlusion
Scft Food

CWTm (l,h700,700)
Malocclusion
Soft Food

I'BTlSh (1,9~,1160)
Malocclusion
Soft Food

wTlS5 (1,2120,380)

RIGHTCONDOLE
(Non-Working) LEFT CONDYLE
(Working)
Fig. 13. Sagittal views of right and left condyles during chewing. The arrow heads drawn 0.1
second after the beginning of closure show the closing paths to be posterior and inferior to
the opening paths.

at the condyles during closure. Landa’s study, however, may have been limited
to chews of symmetrical condyle movement before swallowing instead of the usual
closing pattern of a working and nonworking condyle. However, the presence
of a medial movement during closure while chewing has been convincingly shown
by this report and by others.lO, *z-14 Hildebrandl” reported a medial movement of
the working side condyle of 0.040 to 0.080 inch. This is greater than the 0 to
0.040 inch movement reported here, since he included the total medial movement
and did not limit it to the WFM. Hickey and associateP reported a 0.012 inch
medial movement “during maintained contact in chewing” which corresponds
to values reported here, and 0.029 to 0.062 inch total medial movement for one
subject. They measured this movement by photographing a pin inserted into the
condyle. In the sagittal view, their condyle pin moved downward and forward
as the teeth came into closure, appearing to be contradictory to our findings of a
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 617
Number 6

L .s Inch 1
Scale

Braced (Working) Condyle

Subject HFTlS5 (1,3232,100)
~U0rnra1~~
Occlusion
Chewing Soft Food

Fig. 14. Sagittal, frontal, and horizontal views in orthographic projection of a working side
condyle during chewing. A 0.025 inch medial movement occurred during the working func-
tional movement. The arrow heads were drawn by the computer 0.1 second after the be-
ginning of closure.

closure position at the most upward and rearward position on the condyle path.
These seemingly different findings are not contradictory however; the difference
occurred because our paths were measured for a point at the approximate center
of the condyle (calculated by computer from motion of three other jaw points),
while their pin movement measurements were made lateral to the condyle. When
the nonworking condyle moved upward and rearward about a “center of rotation”
within the working side condyle, lateral points, such as a pin in the condyle, would
move downward and forward.
The sagittal view of the condyle paths is of particular interest, since it usually
shows the closing orbits inferior and rearward to the opening orbits. Similar find-
ings can be seen in paths of motion described by Koivumaa.s This may occur be-
cause of the difference in the medial-lateral position of the condyles during open-
ing and closing movements. Another possibility is that these paths are indications
of forces applied at the condyles. If this is true, the closing path lying inferior
and rearward to the opening path, as reported here, would indicate an upward
 j. Prosthet. Dent.
618 Gibbs, Messerman, Reswick, and Derda December. 1971

force on the condyle rather than a downward force as is usually supposed. Sitrcr:
there is no anterior movement of the condylcs about the teeth at final closure
for most subjects (the important exception \vas C, G., with heavy contact on ~3
fixed partial denture), the force at final closure at the condyles appears to brs
small, if any. Perhaps the posterior teeth protect the temporomandibular joint fror~~
strong forces. If the vertical dimension of the posterior teeth becomes too short
in relation to the vertical dimension of the anterior teeth: the temporomandibulat
joint pain syndrome sometimes results. An equilibrium analysis of the; ,;a\\ 11)
Frankel and Burstein’” shobvs that force need not be transmitted at th<l contlslr~c
in order to maintain equilibrium during chewing. Page, lLGin a similar rcluilibriu~t~
analysis, predicts forces at the joints to be minor in comparison to tooth 10~1::~
Therefore, the condyle we have tern& \I;orking may support littl(l c)f the strong
forces which occur during chewing, and the concept of tooth-protectctl ternpc~l cl-
mandibular joint may be useful in restorative dentistry.
It is significant that the working side condylt: was positioned at vrry nearl), the
same maximum vertical and retruded position during each chewing closure, rather
than being positioned at different points along the slope of the fossa, because this
means that closures have an important aspect of similarity on which to base the
design of an articulator. For unilateral chewing, it was shown that the food was
usually on the side of the working side condylc. The presence of a \vorking anti
moving condyle was the basic type of jaw closure.
Paths of motion in the sagittal plant show that the central incisor usually
closes in a retrusive movement and opens in a protrusive movement. This finding
agrees with previous findings by KoivumaaF and Schwaitzer.g During the WFM,
the working condyle side is at its most suprriol rearward position during t I ICL
closing stroke, and both condyles often move immediately forward upon opening.
allowing the central incisor to move in a path in front of the path follokved when
the jaws are closing.
Tooth gliding in the chewing paths of motion was definitely evident for (me
subject. Other investigatorssa 17-lg also report some occlusal contact during chew-
ing. AhlgrenZo reports evidence of tooth gliding in 62 per cent of all chews of
gum and 54 per cent of all chews of carrot for 35 children studied. Of all his child
subjects, 95 per cent showed some gliding of teeth during gum chewing.
Occlusions grouped for chewin g of soft foods showed at the .5 per cent le\rrl
that the central incisor remained motionless at closure for subjects with “normal”
occlusion in a higher percentage of chews than for subjects with malocclusion.
This measurement, therefore, appears to be important for diffrrentiation b[s-
tween a “normal” occlusion and a serious malocclusion. We believe that this measurc-
ment is an indicator of the force applied. Subjects with malocclusion apparently
do not allow the teeth to remain closed for a final high-force application. This
stoppage at closure has been noted in other jaw motion studies.“, 2*-L’3
A decrease in the amount of vertical opening near the swallowing act was
measured for nearly all subjects for the chewing of hard and soft foods. This
observation was also noted by Koivumaa.*
It is significant that there is evidence of tooth contact and differences between
paths of motion for subjects with “normal” occlusion and malocclusion, indicating
Volume 26 Functional movements of the mandible 619
Number 6

that jaw motion is affected by the occlusion and may be useful in diagnosing
occlusal health.

SUMMARY
Starting from the closed position, a typical motion of the mandible can be
summarized as follows: Both condyles begin the opening immediately downward
and forward. Early in the closing stroke, the entire mandible moves laterally.
The working side (lateral) condyle moves upward and rearward and reaches its
terminal position at the most vertical rearward position of its path before the teeth
approach each other far enough to intercuspate. This working side condyle ap-
pears to be nearly stationary in the sagittal view for the remaining part of the closing
stroke, which is termed the Working Functional Movement (WFM) . During the
WFM, the working side condyle moves medially to its closed position, while the
nonworking side condyle goes upward and laterally to its closed position. The
food is usually on the same side as the working side condyle.
The paths of motion of the condyles are quite similar for subjects with “nor-
mal” occlusions and malocclusions. The closed position repeatability is similar,
ranging from 0.01 to 0.06 inch. This is in contrast to the paths of motion of the
central incisor where differences among subjects with “normal” and malocclusion
are easily detected. Of particular interest is the fact that for a higher percentage
of chews, the central incisor remains motionless at closure for more subjects with
“normal” occlusion than for subjects with malocclusions.

CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a working side condyle during typical chewing, as described
in this report, is an important constraint which aids in the control of closure in
the intercuspal range where tooth contacts and resulting forces can occur. This
constraint is significant for functional articulator design since it specifies two of
the six degrees of freedom. A mechanism which coordinates the medial movement
of the working condyle, with the upward, rearward lateral path of the nonwork-
ing condyle and with the medial, upward path of the central incisor, could com-
plete the functional articulator.
Finally, the measuring instrumentation used in this study apparently did not
significantly affect the chewing motions, since the basic motion was typical regard-
less of large influences such as various test foods and different types of occlusion.
David C. Cannon, MS., designed and constructed the measuring instrumentation. Com-
puter programming of the jaw motion data was performed by Thomas G. Szymanski, Edward
Janecek, Bob Lattie, and Neal Nomiyama. Mouth appliances were constructed by Paul
J. Yungmann.

References
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tion of Mandibular Movements, Case Institute of Technology, E. D. C. Report No.
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2. Gibbs, C. H., Reswick, J. B., and Messerman, T.: The Case Gnathic Replicator for the
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No. EDC 4-66-14.
620 Gibbs, Messerman, Reswick, ancl I&r&

3. Gibbs, C. H., Reswick, J. B., and Messerman, T.: Functional Movements of the Mandible,
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151-159, 1968.
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sented to the American Equilibration Society, Feb. 1, 1968.

DRS. GIBBS AND DERD~:

ENGINEERING DESIGN CENTER
CASE WESTERN RESERVE T.JNI~ERSITY
CLEVELAND, OHIO 44106

DR. RESWICK :
RANCHO Los AMIGOS HOSPITAL
DOWNYSY, CALIF.