Sensory‐motor function of human periodontal mechanoreceptors*

Abstract

summary Natural teeth are equipped with periodontal mechanoreceptors that signal information about tooth loads. In the present review, the basic force‐encoding properties of human periodontal receptors will be presented along with a discussion about their likely functional role in the control of human mastication. Microneurographic recordings from single nerve fibres reveal that human periodontal receptors adapt slowly to maintained tooth loads. Most receptors are broadly tuned to the direction of force application, and about half respond to forces applied to more than one tooth. Populations of periodontal receptors, nevertheless, reliably encode information about both the teeth stimulated, and the direction of forces applied to the individual teeth. Information about the magnitude of tooth loads is made available in the mean firing rate response of periodontal receptors. Most receptors exhibit a markedly curved relationship between discharge rate and force amplitude, featuring the highest sensitivity to changes in tooth load at very low force levels (below 1 N for anterior teeth and 4 N for posterior teeth). Thus, periodontal receptors efficiently encode tooth load when subjects contact and gently manipulate food using the teeth. It is demonstrated that signals from periodontal receptors are used in the fine motor control of the jaw and it is clear from studies of various patient groups (e.g. patients with dental implants) that important sensory‐motor functions are lost or impaired when these receptors are removed during the extraction of teeth.

Effect of different dental articulating papers on SEMG activity during maximum clenching

“…It is also known that periodontal mechanoreceptors located around the roots of the teeth signal rich information to the CNS (Central Nervous System) about tooth load and are involved in the control of the jaw muscles during biting and chewing (Trulsson, 2006;Trulsson et al , 2010).…”

Intraspecific scaling of chewing cycle duration in three species of domestic ungulates

“…The CPG can produce rhythmic movements without input from extrinsic sources but peripheral sensory receptors in the lips, oral mucosa, teeth and jaw muscles provide sensory feedback to modulate the final motor output (e.g. Appenteng et al, 1980;Goodwin and Luschei, 1975;Johansson et al, 1988;Lavigne et al, 1987;Trulsson, 2006;Trulsson and Johansson, 1994;Trulsson and Johansson, 1996a;Trulsson and Johansson, 1996b;Trulsson and Johansson, 2002;Turker, 2002;Turker and Jenkins, 2000). This modulation influences the electromyographic burst characteristics of the muscles controlling masticatory movements and the durations of the constituent phases (i.e.…”

Modulation of mandibular loading and bite force in mammals during mastication

“…Some workers have related variation in EMG patterns to variation in bite force orientation and magnitude during isometric biting on a bite force transducer (Blanksma et al, 1997); others have measured bite force orientations and/or magnitudes from intra-oral implants in edentulous (MericskeStern et al, 1992) or partially dentate (Lundgren and Laurell, 1986) subjects. These studies have various limitations, the most serious of which is destruction of the periodontal ligament afferents employed to modulate bite force production (Trulsson, 2006). …”