The molar Periodontal Ligament mechanoreceptors are part of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS). Peripheral Nerves lie outside of the brain and spinal column, such that they usually make their initial synapse outside of the Central Nervous System (CNS). However, the molar Periodontal Ligament (PDL) mechanoreceptors are unique in that despite being Peripheral Nerve afferents, they are the sole human peripheral nerves that enter the CNS directly (into the Mesencephalic Nucleus) and travel further within the CNS to the Trigeminal Motor Nucleus, where they make their first synapse with the efferent motor fibers to the four muscles of mastication, the tensor tympani, the tensor veli palatini, the mylohyoid, and the anterior belly of the digastric muscles.
Published in Chapter:
Employing T-Scan Synchronized with Electromyography to Treat Chronic Occluso-Muscle Disorder
Robert B. Kerstein, DMD (Former Clinical Professor at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, USA & Private Dental Practice Limited to Prosthodontics and Computerized Occlusal Analysis, USA)
Copyright: © 2015
|Pages: 88
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-6587-3.ch007
Abstract
This chapter discusses chronic Occluso-Muscle Disorder, which is a myogenous subset of Temporomandibular Disorder symptoms resultant from occlusally activated muscle hyperactivity. Published T-Scan-based research since 1991 has determined that a significant etiologic component of Occluso-Muscle Disorder is prolonged (in time) occlusal surface friction that occurs between opposing posterior teeth during mandibular excursions. This friction results in prolonged compressions of the Periodontal Ligament fibers of the involved teeth, which triggers excess muscle contractions within the masticatory muscles. This chapter describes the neuroanatomy of how the excursive friction induces masticatory muscle hyperactivity and illustrates the patient occlusal factors that promote prolonged occlusal surface friction. It explains the patient section criteria for determining if an Occluso-Muscle Disorder patient is a candidate for occlusal intervention, details the computer-guided Occluso-Muscle Disorder treatment known as Disclusion Time Reduction, and supports this measured occlusal treatment with the research studies that validate using this highly effective Occluso-Muscle Disorder therapy.