Relationship between Kinematic Center and TMJ Anatomy and Function

Abstract

The kinematic center (KC)—defined by coinciding jaw-opening/-closing and protrusion-retrusion trajectories—has been proposed in the literature as a reference point to represent TMJ movements. In this study, we tested whether the KC lies in a peculiar anatomical point and whether its trajectory reflects intra-articular distance. In 11 asymptomatic individuals (seven females, four males, aged 24–37 yrs), 4 openings/closings and 4 protrusions/retrusions were tracked with dynamic stereometry. In a 3D lattice (0.5 mm grid) constructed solidly around each condyle, the KC was the point with maximal cross-correlation between opening-closing and protrusion-retrusion paths. KC trajectories were more cranial on closing than on opening, consistent with intra-articular distances being smaller on closing than on opening. However, KCs were never located on condylar main axes (distance, 4.5 ± 2.9 mm), nor did they coincide with points best approximating fossa shapes (distance, 12.5 ± 6.4 mm). The kinematic center’s anatomical and functional significance therefore appears to be questionable.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Airoldi RL, Gallo LM, Palla S -1994-. Precision of the jaw tracking system JAWS-3D. J Orofac Pain 8:155–164.

Campbell MJ, Gardner MJ -1988-. Calculating confidence intervals for some non-parametric analyses. Br Med J -Clin Res Ed- 296:1454–1456.

Catic A, Naeije M -1999-. Location of the hinge axis and the kinematic centre in asymptomatic and clicking temporomandibular joints. J Oral Rehabil 26:661–665.

Fushima K, Gallo LM, Krebs M, Palla S -2003-. Analysis of the TMJ intraarticular space variation: a non-invasive insight during mastication. Med Eng Phys 25:181–190.

Gallo LM, Nickel JC, Iwasaki LR, Palla S -2000-. Stress-field translation in the healthy human temporomandibular joint. J Dent Res 79:1740–1746.

Gossi DB, Gallo LM, Bahr E, Palla S -2004-. Dynamic intra-articular space variation in clicking TMJs. J Dent Res 83:480–484.

Huddleston Slater JJ, Visscher CM, Lobbezoo F, Naeije M -1999-. The intra-articular distance within the TMJ during free and loaded closing movements. J Dent Res 78:1815–1820.

Huddleston Slater JJ, Lobbezoo F, Naeije M -2002-. Mandibular movement characteristics of an anterior disc displacement with reduction. J Orofac Pain 16:135–142.

Krebs M -1997-. Dynamic stereometry of the temporomandibular joint from 3D imaging and tracking data -PhD thesis-. Zürich: ETH Zürich.

10.

Krebs M, Gallo LM, Airoldi RL, Palla S -1995-. A new method for three-dimensional reconstruction and animation of the temporomandibular joint. Ann Acad Med Singapore 24:11–16.

11.

Mesqui F, Kaeser F, Fischer P -1986-. On-line three-dimensional light spottracker and its application to clinical dentistry. Int Arch Photogrammetry Remote Sensing 26:310–317.

12.

Morneburg T, Proschel PA -1998-. Differences between traces of adjacent condylar points and their impact on clinical evaluation of condyle motion. Int J Prosthodont 11:317–324.

13.

Naeije M -2002-. Local kinematic and anthropometric factors related to the maximum mouth opening in healthy individuals. J Oral Rehabil 29:534–539.

14.

Naeije M -2003-. Measurement of condylar motion: a plea for the use of the condylar kinematic centre. J Oral Rehabil 30:225–230.

15.

Naeije M, Huddleston Slater JJ, Lobbezoo F -1999-. Variation in movement traces of the kinematic center of the temporomandibular joint. J Orofac Pain 13:121–127.

16.

Osborn JW -1989-. The temporomandibular ligament and the articular eminence as constraints during jaw opening. J Oral Rehabil 16:323–333.

17.

Osborn JW -1993-. A model to describe how ligaments may control symmetrical jaw opening movements in man. J Oral Rehabil 20:585–604.

18.

Palla S, Gallo LM, Gossi D -2003-. Dynamic stereometry of the temporomandibular joint. Orthod Craniofac Res 6-Suppl 1-:37–47.

19.

Salaorni C, Palla S -1994-. Condylar rotation and anterior translation in healthy human temporomandibular joints. Schweiz Monatsschr Zahnmed 104:415–422.

20.

Yamada Y, Yamamura K, Inoue M -2005-. Coordination of cranial motoneurons during mastication. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 147:177–189.

21.

Yatabe M, Zwijnenburg A, Megens CC, Naeije M -1995-. The kinematic center: a reference for condylar movements. J Dent Res 74:1644–1648.

22.

Yatabe M, Zwijnenburg A, Megens CC, Naeije M -1997-. Movements of the mandibular condyle kinematic center during jaw opening and closing. J Dent Res 76:714–719.