Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics of Periodontal Proprioception

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Stress and Orality

Abstract

The dental organ is a privileged functional zone because it is a rich sensory-innervated element, not just “a piece of bone set in a bone” useful to crush food and give a pretty smile. In physiological conditions (mastication, deglutition, etc.), they benefit from periodontal tactile (non-algic) receptors which react to intensity and direction of the forces applied to the tooth. However, scientific data do not yet exist to know how they react to abnormally excessive mechanical forces as they occur in parafunctional teeth clenching. In any way, normal functional conditions mean that the cerebral sensory cortex expects to receive the same sensory volume on the right side and on the left side. Unbalanced inputs (due to malocclusion) are able to generate spasticity in the stomatognathic musculature but even beyond the oral sphere.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Periodontium  =  ligament which links the tooth to the maxillary bone.

  2. 2.

    They are precise to the micron, that is, thousandths of millimeter. Some objects are so small that they are hardly perceptible between thumb and forefinger, but they are sensed between upper and lower teeth. In a personal study with blind children and young adults who had to feel a calibrated hair between their teeth, we found that the discriminative tactile rate was decreasing as we moved from the front teeth to the back teeth.

  3. 3.

    This is explained by the particular role of teeth in the digestive system. They participate in regulating food mastication and play a significant stereognostic role in the identification of the forces used to hold and manipulate food between teeth [45]. They inform the nervous centers to modulate the motor neurons of masticatory and swallowing muscles for maximal functional efficiency. Other functional roles include modifying the salivary flow, remodeling the alveolar bone, and participating in maxillary and mandibular bone growing. In the nociceptive field they produce alarm signals in case of threat to the dental tissues.

  4. 4.

    The key role of incisors in the blind mole rat could explain the large representation in the S1 somatosensory cortex (31 %) [6].

  5. 5.

    The cerebral sensory cortex expects to receive the same sensory volume on the right side and on the left side (Fig. 5). We speak of non-nociceptive – that is, tactile – inputs. Let’s use a clinical example: your dentist has just fit a crown in your mouth. Typically, you must not be aware of this new component. In neurophysiological terms, your body scheme must accept it. People often believe – wrongfully so – “No pain: no problem.” In fact the component should in no way exist when you lightly tap the upper and lower teeth together. Any tactile feeling of imbalance must be immediately pointed out by the patient and fixed by the dentist. If not, dysfunctional reflexes from the trigeminal territory may occur since adjustment by the nervous system is very difficult, even impossible in most cases. Indeed, leaving this kind of occlusal abnormality unchanged may be considered as a neurophysiological error and a professional fault. To help perform a very sophisticated equilibration, we previously described an easy method called the shoulder method [16, 18]. The patient’s awareness of his neural tactile sensitivity directs the dentist to perform a more ­balanced occlusion as compared to low-tech methods (paper, varnish, scan, etc.).

  6. 6.

    Tact, stereognosis (capacity in recognizing thickness, form, and texture of food), proprioception which permits to everyone to spatially situate one’s teeth position. The first and the second moods are conscious; the third is unconscious. Type 1 PR keeps a major role in learning functions and movements. The proprioceptive control on the behavioral sets appears to be higher during new works learning and realizing [21, 22]. The PR could initiate a negative feedback [7, 12, 32, 46] due to very fine biting force discrimination when TMJ receptors failed [47]. Remember about the tiger female and its cub. Muscle receptors do not pulsate within the 1 mm band preceding the closing of the mouth [3]. But during mastication, the conditions change [15, 43, 44]: the PR sensibility decreases [28]. Their dental protecting role towards excessive biting forces, specially at the end of the masticatory cycle, is confirmed by some studies [13, 38]. Otherwise a periodontal and neuromuscular bundle co-activation of the masseteric has been shown [4, 9]. There is a closing mouth masseteric reflex due to ipsilateral PR stimulation [48, 49]. The study in humans [25, 26, 45] confirmed the animal recorded results. A positive feedback of PR exists for chewing force control when a substantial influence of joint receptors on movement control does not [42]. It has been also evoked their role into maxillary growing mechanisms [10, 17] (Fig. 6). Finally the type 1 PR also intervene in human parotid secretion control [1, 19, 20]. According to some studies, mechanical receptors exist in intradental region, and both can provide a continuum of dynamic afferent inputs necessary for tactile sensitivity of teeth [8]. Intraoral touch receptors, spindles in jaw-closing muscles, and specialized PR have especially powerful effects on physiological movement parameters [31]. The periodontal tissue also receives a major sympathetic innervation as shown by histological, histochemical, and electrophysiological studies [24, 27]. Otherwise when teeth are lost, the tactile information is relayed by mucosal receptors [23, 39]. Neurophysiologists call that as a vicarious phenomenon.

References

  1. Anderson DJ, Hector MP (1987) Periodontal mechanoreceptors and parotid secretion in animals and man. J Dent Res 66:518–523

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Aubert M, Hartmann F, Mei N, Salenc C (1978) La sensibilité dentaire chez le Chat. Rev Biol Ecol Médit 5(2):61–94

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bonfil JJ (1975) Sensibilité fusoriale des muscles masticateurs, intercuspidation canine et position mandibulaire de repos. Etude chez le chat aigu. J Biol Bucc 3:77–90

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Brodin P, Turker KS, Miles TS (1993) Mechanoreceptors around the tooth evoke inhibitory and excitatory reflexes in the human masseter muscle. J Physiol 464:711–723

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Cash M, Linden RWA (1982) The distribution of mechanoreceptors in the periodontal ligament of the mandibular canine tooth of the cat. J Physiol 330:439–447

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Catania KC, Remple MS (2001) Somatosensory cortex dominated by the representation of teeth in the naked mole-rat brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99(8):5692–5697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Dessem D, Iyadurai OD, Taylor A (1988) The role of periodontal receptors in the jaw-opening reflex in the cat. J Physiol 406:315–330

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Dong WK, Shiwaku T, Kawakami Y, Chudler EH (1993) Static and dynamic responses of periodontal ligament mechanoreceptors and intradental mechanoreceptors. J Neurophysiol 69(5):1567–1582

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Funakoshi M, Nakashima N (1980) Excitation of masseter muscle spindle induced by periodontal stimulation. J Dent Res Abstract 422:992

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gasson N, Stutzmann J, Petrovic AG (1975) Les mécanismes régulateurs de l’ajustement occlusal interviennent-ils dans le contrôle de la croissance du cartilage condylien? Orthod Franç 46:77–101

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hannam AG (1976) Periodontal mechanoreceptors. In: Anderson DJ, Matthews B (eds) Mastication. Wright & Sons Limited, Bristol, pp 42–49

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hannam AG, Matthews B (1969) Reflex jaw opening in response to stimulation of periodontal mechanoreceptors in the cat. Arch Oral Biol 14:415–419

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hannam AG, Matthews B, Yemm R (1986) The unloading reflex in masticatory muscles of man. Arch Oral Biol 13:361–367

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Hartmann F, Mei N, Vedel J-P (1979) Bases neurophysiologiques de l’occlusion. Encycl Med Chir Paris Stomatol 22008:C-10

    Google Scholar 

  15. Hartmann F, Vedel J-P, Mei N (1982) Physiologie et physiopathologie de la mastication. Encycl Med Chir Paris Stomatol 22008:A-15

    Google Scholar 

  16. Hartmann F, Cucchi G, Antrassian J et al (1985) Neurophysiologie et équilibration en prothèse adjointe totale. Cah Proth 51:79–90

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hartmann F, Mei N, Salenc C, Trub M (1985) Periodontal sensitivity and bone growth. Actual Odontostomatol 39(151):673–683

    Google Scholar 

  18. Hartmann F, Cucchi G (1993) Les dysfonctions cranio-mandibulaires (SADAM). Nouvelles perspectives médicales. Springer-Verlag (éd), Paris, 176p

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hector MP (1984) Evidence for the involvement of periodontal mechanoreceptors in the control of parotid secretion. J Dent Res 63(4):490

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hector MP, Linden RW (1987) The possible role of periodontal mechanoreceptors in the control of parotid secretion. Q J Exp Physiol 72:285–301

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hellsing G (1987) Human jaw muscle motor behavior. Part I: motor drive. Swed Dent J 11:251–261

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Hellsing G (1987) Human jaw muscle motor behavior. Part II: reflex and receptor mechanism. Swed Dent J 12:47–56

    Google Scholar 

  23. Heraud J (1988) Etude des différences d’épaisseurs infimes perçues au niveau occlusal chez le sujet denté et édenté (1ère partie). Thèse 3ème cycle Sci Odont Marseille

    Google Scholar 

  24. Holland GR (1989) Sympathetic-sensory axon to axon contacts in the dental pulp. Proc Finn Dent Soc 85:375–378

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Johansson RS, Olsson KA (1976) Microelectrode recording from human oral mechanoreceptors. Brain Res 118:307–311

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Johnsen SE, Trulsson M (2003) Receptive field properties of human periodontal afferents responding to loading of premolar and molar teeth. J Neurophysiol 89:1478–1487

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Karita K, Izumi H, Tabata T et al (1989) The blood flow in the periodontal ligament regulated by the sympathetic and sensory nerves in the cat. Proc Finn Dent Soc 85:289–294

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Kiliardis S, Tzakis M, Carlsson S (1990) Short-term and long-term effects of chewing training on occlusal perception of thickness. Scand J Dent Res 98:159–166

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kohno T, Matsumoto Y, Kanno Z et al (2002) Experimental tooth movement under light orthodontic forces: rates of tooth movement and changes of the periodontium. J Orthod 29(2):129–135

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Loescher AR, Robinson PP (1989) Receptor characteristics of periodontal mechanosensitive units supplying the cat’s lower canine. J Neurophysiol 62(4):971–978

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Lund JP, Kolta A (2006) Generation of the central masticatory pattern and its modification by sensory feedback. Dysphagia 21(3):167–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Matthews B, Yemm R (1971) Response of masseter and digastric muscle to mechanical stimulation of teeth in decerebrate cats. J Dent Res 50:697

    Google Scholar 

  33. Mei N, Hartmann F, Roubien R (1971) Functional characteristics of dental ligament mechanoreceptors in cats. J Physiol Paris 63(6):137

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mei N, Hartmann F, Roubien R (1975) Caractéristiques fonctionnelles des mécano-récepteurs des ligaments dentaires chez le chat. J Biol Buccale 3:29–39

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Mei N, Hartmann F, Aubert M (1977) Periodontal mechanoreceptors involved in pain. In: Anderson DJ, Matthews B (eds) Pain in the trigeminal region. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p103

    Google Scholar 

  36. Miyamoto JJ, Honda M, Saito DN et al (2006) The representation of the human oral area in the somatosensory cortex: a functional MRI study. Cereb Cortex 16(5):669–675

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Ness AR (1954) The mechanoreceptors of the rabbit mandibular incisor. J Physiol 126:475–493

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ochardson R, Sheena H, Mac Farmale H (1980) The effect of local periodontal anaesthesia on the maximum biting force achieved by human subjects. Arch Oral Biol 25:799–804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Orofino J (1990) Exteroception et dimension verticale chez l’édenté. Cah Proth 77:56–63

    Google Scholar 

  40. Pfaffmann C (1939) Afferent impulses from the tooth due to pressure and noxious stimulation. J Physiol 97:207–219

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Salenc C (1979) Projection des nerfs maxillaires et des récepteurs dentaires sur le cortex cérébral du chat. Thèse 3rd cycle Sci Odont Marseille

    Google Scholar 

  42. Schindler HJ, Stengel E, Spiess WE (1998) Feedback control during mastication of solid food textures – a clinical-experimental study. J Prosthet Dent 8(3):330–336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Sekine H, Kishi M, Yamakura D et al (1995) Significance of periodontal pressoreceptive sensation for hardness discrimination of foods. In: Morimoto T, Matsuya T, Takada K (eds) Brain and oral functions. Elsevier Sciences, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  44. Trulsson M (2007) Force encoding by human periodontal mechanoreceptors during mastication. Arch Oral Biol 52(4):357–360

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Trulsson M, Francis ST, Bowtell R, McGlone F (2010) Brain activations in response to vibrotactile tooth stimulation: a psychophysical and fMRI study. J Neurophysiol 104:2257–2265

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Turker KS, Jenkins M (2000) Reflex responses induced by tooth unloading. J Neurophysiol 84(2):1088–1092

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Williams WN, Lapointe LL, Mahan PE, Cornell CE (1984) Discrimination des forces de morsure après modification ou diminution de la sensibilité des ATM et des incisives. J Dent Res Abstract 63:288

    Google Scholar 

  48. Yamada Y, Ash MM (1984) Reflex responses in jaw muscle to mechanical tooth stimulation. J Dent Res 63:323

    Google Scholar 

  49. Yamada Y, Stohler CS, Shimada K, Ash MM Jr (1985) Short and long latency jaw-opening reflex responses elicited by mechanical stimulation in man. Arch Oral Biol 30:197–200

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France

    Francis Hartmann & Gérard Cucchi

Authors
  1. Francis Hartmann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gérard Cucchi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag France

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hartmann, F., Cucchi, G. (2014). Characteristics of Periodontal Proprioception. In: Stress and Orality. Springer, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-2-8178-0271-8_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-2-8178-0271-8_6

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Paris

  • Print ISBN: 978-2-8178-0270-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-2-8178-0271-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation