Pain, tenderness and strength of human mandibular elevators.

In terms of the mean voltage during maximal bite in the intercuspal position we compared the strength of the temporal and masseter muscles of 39 patients with functional disorders of the chewing apparatus and 45 controls. Maximal electrical activity was significantly stronger in the controls than in the patients. Differences between the two samples with respect to sex, age, number of opposing teeth in contact and the presence of pain and tenderness tended to favor stronger activity in the controls. However, the different levels of electrical activity, especially in the case of the masseter muscles, could only be accounted for on the basis of a difference in maximal strength. We suggest that the weaker elevator muscles of the patients was a predisposing factor making these muscles less fit to endure hyperactivity induced psychologically or as a reflex response to occlusal interferences and functional disorders of the temporomandibular joints or other elements of the oral neuromuscular system. The sample of controls had much stronger elevators, less susceptible to such hyperactivity.