Previous studies suggested that, during mastication, magnitude and location of mechanical load in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) might depend on chewing side and bolus size. Aim of this study was to dynamically measure the TMJ space while chewing on standardized boluses to assess the relationship among minimum intra-articular distances (MID), their location on the condylar surface, bolus size, and chewing side. Mandibular movements of 12 participants (6f, 24±1y.o.; 6 m, 28±6y.o.) were tracked optoelectronically while chewing unilaterally on rubber boluses of 15 × 15 × 5, 15 × 15 × 10, and 15 × 15 × 15 mm³ size. MID and their location along the main condylar axis were determined with dynamic stereometry. MID were normalized on the intra-articular distance in centric occlusion. Repeated measures ANOVA (α = 0.05) showed that MID were smaller on the balancing (0.74±0.19) than on the working condyle (0.89±0.16) independently of bolus size (p < 0.0001). MIDs did not differ between 5 and 10 mm bolus thicknesses (0.80±0.17) but increased for 15 mm (0.85±0.22, p = 0.024) and were located mostly laterally, close to the condylar center. This study confirmed higher reduction of TMJ space on the balancing than on the working condyle during mastication. Intra-articular distances increased significantly for the greatest bolus thickness. Loaded areas were located laterally, for both working and balancing joint.

以前的研究表明，在咀嚼期间，颞下颌关节 (TMJ) 中机械负荷的大小和位置可能取决于咀嚼侧和食团的大小。本研究的目的是在咀嚼标准化丸剂时动态测量 TMJ 空间，以评估最小关节内距离 (MID)、它们在髁突表面的位置、丸剂大小和咀嚼侧之间的关系。12 名参与者（6f，24±1y.o.；6 m，28±6y.o.）的下颌运动被光电跟踪，同时单侧咀嚼 15 × 15 × 5、15 × 15 × 10 和 15 × 的橡胶丸15 × 15 毫米³大小。MID 及其沿主髁轴的位置通过动态立体测量法确定。MID 在中心闭塞的关节内距离上标准化。重复测量方差分析 (α = 0.05) 表明，平衡 (0.74±0.19) 上的 MID 比工作髁 (0.89±0.16) 上的小，与推注大小无关 ( p  < 0.0001)。MID 在 5 毫米和 10 毫米大丸剂厚度之间没有差异 (0.80±0.17)，但在 15 毫米 (0.85±0.22，p = 0.024) 并且大部分位于侧面，靠近髁突中心。该研究证实，在咀嚼过程中，平衡上的 TMJ 空间比工作髁上的空间减少更多。对于最大推注厚度，关节内距离显着增加。负载区域位于侧面，用于工作和平衡接头。