Mandibular Movements
Dr. Nirmitee Aher
Contents
Introduction
Classification of mandibular movements
Mechanics of mandibular movements
Methods of recording mandibular movements
Review of literature
References
2
Introduction
The movements of the jaw are
complex and variable. Thus, it is
imperative to learn as much as
possible about jaw movement in
order to reproduce those aspects of
its movement considered necessary
for the proper functioning of the
occlusion, either natural or artificial.
3
Three planes of motion
Classification
Based on the
According to Based upon
axis of CNS
direction extension
rotation
Innate
Opening and
Border movements –
vertical closing
movements breathing &
movements
swallowing
Intra border Learned
Protrusion and movements- movements –
horizontal
retraction functional & speech and
parafunctional chewing
Lateral gliding
sagittal axis
movements
5
Rotation Translation
6
Rotational
Movement
7
Horizontal Axis of Rotation
Opening and Closing Motion
Mandibular movement around the
horizontal axis is referred to as hinge
movement.
Only pure rotational movement of
the mandible
Terminal hinge axis movement is
rarely observed during normal
function
8
Frontal/ Vertical Axis of
Rotation
Occurs when one condyle moves anteriorly
out of the terminal hinge position.
The opposite condyle's vertical axis
remains in the terminal hinge position
Observed during lateral excursion of the
mandible.
Center for this rotation is a vertical axis
extending through the rotating or working-
side condyle
9
Sagittal Axis of Rotation
Occurs when one condyle moves
inferiorly while the other remains in the
terminal hinge position.
Isolated movement is naturally restricted
by TMJ ligaments and musculature
This movement is observed during
combined mandibular motions-
downward & forward
10
Translational
Movement
11
Bodily Movement of the mandible- teeth, condyles, and rami all move in the same
direction and to the same degree.
06/26/2025 SAMPLE FOOTER TEXT 12
Border Movements in Individual
Planes
13
Sagittal Plane Border Movements
Range of posterior and anterior
Posterior opening border opening border movements is
determined, or limited,
primarily by ligaments and the
Anterior opening border morphology of the TMJs
Superior contact border Occlusal and incisal surfaces of
the teeth
Functional Not considered border
movements since they are not
determined by an outer range
of motion
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Posterior Opening BM
1st Stage 2nd Stage
Termina Downward
l hinge & forward
position CR
position
Anterior Opening BM
Closure begins with inferior lateral pterygoid
contraction, keeping condyles in an anterior
position- Results in anterior closing border
movement.
If condyles remain stabilized anteriorly, a pure
hinge movement could occur
Movement would proceed from maximal opening
to maximal protrusion.
Stylomandibular ligaments- tightening during
closure induces posterior condylar movement.
Posterior movement from maximally open to
maximally protruded position creates
eccentricity
16
Superior
Contact BM
Throughout this entire movement, tooth
contact is present
Superoanterio
r shift
Protrusion
18
Protrusion Continues
19
Centric relation and MIP
MIP
CR
20
Functional
movements
Within the border movements and,
therefore, are considered free
movements
Most functional activities require
maximum intercuspation and therefore
typically begin at and below the ICP
When the mandible is at rest, it is
found to be located approximately 2 to
4 mm below the ICP.
This position has been called the
clinical rest position
21
Clinical Rest Position
At this point the forces of gravity pulling the mandible down is in
equilibrium with the elasticity and resistance to stretching of the
elevator muscles and other soft tissues supporting the mandible
(viscoelastic tone).
The interarticular pressure of the joint becomes very low and
dislocation is approached but never achieved (tonicity)
In this position, the teeth can be quickly and effectively brought
together for immediate function.
22
Postural effects
on Functional
Movements
23
Left lateral border
Horizontal Plane Continued left lateral
Border and border with protrusion
Functional Right lateral border
Movements Continued right lateral
border with protrusion
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Left Lateral BM
R L
Non-
Working
Working
condyle
condyle
Anterior,
inferior &
medial
movement
Midline shifted to
the left
Continued Left Lateral movement with Protrusion
R L
Non-
Working Working
condyle condyle
Movement of the left
condyle to its maximum
anterior position will
cause a shift in the
mandibular midline
back to coincide with
the midline of the face.
Right Lateral BM
R L
CR
Continued Right Lateral movement with
Protrusion L
R
Functional
Movements
Left
lateral superior
border
Vertical Plane Left
lateral opening
Border and border
Functional Right
lateral superior
Movements border
Right
lateral opening
border
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Left Lateral Superior Border
R L
ICP LL
Determined –
Morphology and
interarch relationships
of the maxillary and
mandibular teeth that
are in contact during
this movement.
Of secondary
influence are the
condyle-disc-fossa
relationships and
morphology of the
working or rotating
side TMJ.
Left Lateral Opening Border Movement
R L
LL
ICP
LLO
MO
Right Lateral Superior Border Movement
R L
RR LL
ICP
LLO
MO
Right Lateral Opening Border Movement
R L
RR LL
ICP
RLO LLO
MO
Functional
Movements
Posselt’s
Envelope
Of Motion
Ulf
Posselt published his seminal
work in mandibular movement in
1952, including Posselt’s envelope of
motion.
39
Bennett
Movement
The primary cause of
Bennett movement is the
contraction of the lateral
pterygoid muscle.
Its origin is located medially
and anteriorly to its
insertion, and thus it
appears inevitable that
some sideshift takes place
when the muscle contracts.
40
Immediate Side Shift
Range: 1-4 mm
Precurrent Side Shift
Progressive Side Shift
Bennett Angle
Angle formed by the
sagittal plane & the path
of the advancing condyle
during lateral mandibular
movements as viewed in
the horizontal plane
42
Methods using Mechanical Devices
Roentgenographic Methods
Electronic and Telemetric Methods
Magnetometry
Recording
The Mandibular Kinesiograph (MKG)
Opto-electronic Methods
Mandibular Pantographs
Movements
Stereographics
Axiography
Cadiax Compact
Computerized Analysis of Mandibular
Movements
Electromagnetic Articulography (EMA)
Computer-monitored Radionuclide Tracking
Pantography
Best method to study
mandibular movements,
especially lateral
movements.
44
The Mandibular Kinesiograph (MKG)
It electronically records mandibular incisor-point movements in three
dimensions.
45
Cadiax Compact
46
ArcusDigma by Kavo
47
ModJaw
48
Symmetry of Mandibular
Movements:
In a study done by María Florencia Lezcano et al, a 3D
electromagnetic articulograph (AG501; Carstens Medizinelektronik)
was used to record mandibular border and functional movements.
Sixteen participants were included in this study (8 men and 8
women; 22 ±3 years old)
The participants were dentate, with normal occlusion, had not
received orthodontic treatment, suffered trauma, or received major
maxillofacial surgery and did not wear a prosthesis with a metal
connector.
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50
51
The results of this clinical study revealed that even asymptomatic
individuals do not present perfect symmetry regarding border and
functional MM
A balanced distribution was found with respect to the orientation of
the masticatory cycles
However, some individuals showed a preference for a side during
some of the 3 mastication recordings.
[Lezcano MF, Dias FJ, Chuhuaicura P, Navarro P, Fuentes R. Symmetry of mandibular movements: A 3D electromagnetic
articulography technique applied on asymptomatic participants. J Prosthet Dent. 2021 May;125(5):746-752. doi:
10.1016/j.prosdent.2020.01.020. Epub 2020 May 17. PMID: 32434661.]
53
A study by Lindahl L shows the relation between condylar fracture
and mandibular movements.
In the case of patients with condylar fracture, symptoms of
dysfunction in the masticatory system have been observed.
Measurements with a millimeter ruler have revealed asymmetry of
MM between the fractured and nonfractured sides.
Masticatory dysfunction following condylar fracture is more
frequent in teenagers and adults as compared to children. It has
been proposed that the persistent displacement of the condylar
fragment must be regarded as one of the main causes of disorders
of the masticatory system following condylar fracture in adults.
[Lindahl L. Condylar fractures of the mandible. IV. Function of the masticatory system. Int J Oral Surg. 1977 Aug;6(4):195-203. doi:
10.1016/s0300-9785(77)80009-4. PMID: 410741.]
54
Nielsen IL et al put forward a study assessing the relation between
mandibular movements and craniomandibular disorders.
In patients with muscle pain associated with craniomandibular
disorders, the MM were recorded by kinesiography.
This study shows differences in the laterotrusive excursions and
in the protrusion and retrusion movements between the patients
and asymptomatic participants.
The masticatory cycles of the 2 groups were similar.
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Why similar mastication cycles in both
groups?
Possibility 1 Possibility 2
Neuromuscular coactivation Mastication does not require the
patterns overcome the muscle same translatory condylar
pain and/or internal joint movement as full vertical
derangement by developing opening. This second possibility
sufficient activity to maintain suggests that their subjects did
the necessary mandibular not reach the position of an
movement pathway during anteriorly displaced disk during
mastication mastication.
[Nielsen IL, Marcel T, Chun D, Miller AJ. Patterns of mandibular movements in subjects with craniomandibular disorders. J Prosthet Dent.
1990 Feb;63(2):202-17. doi: 10.1016/0022-3913(90)90107-n. PMID: 2304025.]
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Orthognath
ic surgery
and MM:
[Ohashi T, Kuriyama M, Miura H, Otake T, Yoshimasu H, Amagasa T, Hasegawa S. An analysis of mandibular movements before and after a surgical
orthodontic treatment. Kokubyo Gakkai Zasshi. 2002 Dec;69(4):269-76. Japanese. doi: 10.5357/koubyou.69.269. PMID: 12607960.]
Skeletal Jaw Relations and MM:
A descriptive cross-sectional study by Farfán NC et al analyzed
the MBM and masticatory movements in the three spatial
planes (frontal, sagittal, and horizontal) of subjects of all
skeletal classes (I, II, and III)
A total of 30 participants were included in the study: 13 men
and 17 women
Skeletal class III patients have limited border movements.
A greater area of masticatory cycle was observed in the
horizontal plane.
Limited MBM- starting the MM from a more advanced
mandibular position, there was little space available to
perform MBM in the horizontal plane
Greater area of masticatory cycle- altered overjet and
overbite, there was no obstruction to the molars sliding in this
plane during mastication.
[Farfán NC, Lezcano MF, Navarro-Cáceres PE, Sandoval-Vidal HP, Martinez-Gomis J, Muñoz L, Marinelli F, Fuentes R. Characterization
of Mandibular Border Movements and Mastication in Each Skeletal Class Using 3D Electromagnetic Articulography: A Preliminary
Study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Jul 19;13(14):2405. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics13142405. PMID: 37510149; PMCID: PMC10378291.]
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Sleep Bruxism and MM
The relationship between bruxism and mandibular movements
was put forward in a study by Okura et al
They recorded mandibular movement and masseter muscle
activity during sleep, and found forceful grinding movement
during sleep bruxism
They found excessive lateral movements that were almost on
the awake lateral border movements in sagittal, frontal, and
horizontal plane projection.
Okura K, Shigemoto S, Suzuki Y, Noguchi N, Omoto K, Abe S, Matsuka Y. Mandibular movement during sleep bruxism associated with current
tooth attrition. J Prosthodont Res. 2017 Jan;61(1):87-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jpor.2016.06.003. Epub 2016 Jun 25. PMID: 27354030.
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Conclusion
For replacement of teeth and restoring function, it is important
to have a knowledge of the mandibular movements as it aids in
selection and programming of articulators, understanding
occlusion, fabricating dental restorations, and arranging
artificial teeth.
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References
John J. Sharry. Complete Denture Prosthodontics. 1st Edition
Okeson J.P. Management of temporomandibular disorder and occlusion. 8 th Edition
Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms 9th Edition
Madhavan S, Dhanraj M, Jain AR. Methods of recording mandibular movements-A review.
Drug Invent. Today. 2018;10:1259.
Shillinburg- Fundamentals of Fixed Prosthodontics 4th Edition
Okura K, Shigemoto S, Suzuki Y, Noguchi N, Omoto K, Abe S, Matsuka Y. Mandibular
movement during sleep bruxism associated with current tooth attrition. J Prosthodont Res.
2017 Jan;61(1):87-95. doi: 10.1016/j.jpor.2016.06.003. Epub 2016 Jun 25. PMID: 27354030.
63
[Farfán NC, Lezcano MF, Navarro-Cáceres PE, Sandoval-Vidal HP, Martinez-Gomis J, Muñoz L, Marinelli F,
Fuentes R. Characterization of Mandibular Border Movements and Mastication in Each Skeletal Class Using 3D
Electromagnetic Articulography: A Preliminary Study. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023 Jul 19;13(14):2405. doi:
10.3390/diagnostics13142405. PMID: 37510149; PMCID: PMC10378291.]
[Ohashi T, Kuriyama M, Miura H, Otake T, Yoshimasu H, Amagasa T, Hasegawa S. An analysis of mandibular
movements before and after a surgical orthodontic treatment. Kokubyo Gakkai Zasshi. 2002 Dec;69(4):269-76.
Japanese. doi: 10.5357/koubyou.69.269. PMID: 12607960.]
[Nielsen IL, Marcel T, Chun D, Miller AJ. Patterns of mandibular movements in subjects with craniomandibular
disorders. J Prosthet Dent. 1990 Feb;63(2):202-17. doi: 10.1016/0022-3913(90)90107-n. PMID: 2304025.]
[Lindahl L. Condylar fractures of the mandible. IV. Function of the masticatory system. Int J Oral Surg. 1977
Aug;6(4):195-203. doi: 10.1016/s0300-9785(77)80009-4. PMID: 410741.]
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Thank You
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Mandibular Movements
Q&A
