The Effect of Quantitative Occlusal Force on the Size of Temporomandibular Joint Space

정량적 교합력이 측두하악관절강 크기에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the size of the temporomandibular joint space by the increase of the occlusal force on the working side and the non-working side during unilateral biting. For the study, 22 normal adults, age from 23 to 25, who had normal or class I molar relationship and had no symptoms on TMJ area and masticatory muscles were selected. Transcranial TMJ radiograph was taken during unilateral biting with the sensor of occlusal load measuring device (MPM-3000 ; Nihon Kohden Kogyo Co. Ltd., Japan) on 1st molar teeth of right and left side given to force of 0kg, 10kg, 20kg and 30kg respectively with Accurad-200(Denar Corperation's product). The radiographs were traced on the screen, with enlaged as 5 times. The size of temporomandibular joint space at anterior, superior and posterior compartment were measured with Dumas's method (reference line between squamotympanic fissure and the lowest point of articular eminence). The following results were obtained by this study. 1. The size of anterior TMJ space showed a tendency to decrease on the working side and increase on the non-working side by the increase of the occlusal force, but had no statistical significancy (P>0.05). 2. The size of superior TMJ space showed a tendency to increase on the working side and decrease on the non-working side by the increase of the occlusal force (P<0.05). 3. The size of posterior TMJ space showed a tendency to decrease on both working and nonworking side, but had no statistical significancy (P>0.05)